Pioneers Snap Three-Game Skid With Win over Elmira
Utica, N.Y.
The Utica College men’s basketball team snapped a three game Empire 8 Conference losing streak after a convincing 66-48 victory over visiting Elmira College at the Clark Athletic Center Thursday night. Senior classmates
James Patterson and
Will Abrams each netted 18 points in the victory.
The Pioneers improved to 9-8 overall and 3-6 in conference play while the Soaring Eagles have now lost 16 games in a row and fell to 1-17 overall and 0-10 in the E8. UC shot 50 percent (26-of-52) from the floor in the victory.
Utica jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead, behind five consecuitve points from Abrams, and the Pioneers held a seven point advantage just 2:46 into the contest. The visitors answered with an 8-2 run to cut the Utica lead to just one, 11-10, with 12:58 to go in the first half. The Pioneers followed with a stunning 15-0 run in the next 5:30 to take a commanding 26-10 lead with 7:28 to go before the half. The lead diminished to 12 at one point but the Pioneers responded again and found themselves with a 20 point lead, 38-18, at the half. The Pioneers caused eight first half turnovers and turned them into 12 points, while holding the Soaring Eagles to a dismal 29.6 percent shooting from the floor. UC shot 51.6 percent (16-of-31) from the floor in the first half.
The Pioneers were able to manage a double digit lead for the entire second half on their way to an 18 point win. UC’s largest lead of the half was 18 points and the Soaring Eagles were able to cut the lead to as few as 11 on three different occasions but that was as close as they would get in the loss.
Patterson also led Utica with nine assists and four steals, while
Robert Whyte came off the bench and totaled 11 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore guard
Kevin Johnson netted nine points and snagged three steals, while freshman
Jevin McClendon burst on the scene with eight points in his first collegiate start. McClendon also added three rebounds in a career-high 21 minutes of action.
Senior guard Bobby DiPiazza led the way for Elmira with 19 points and nine rebounds. Senior center Zach Simpson added nine points and he also grabbed eight rebounds, while Derrick Vogel chipped in with seven points.
The Pioneers return to the hardwood on Saturday when they travel to conference leading Ithaca College. The contest is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. The last time these two teams met the Pioneers came out on top by the score of 85-81 on Jan. 11. Ithaca, which is ranked second in the East Region by the NCAA, is currently 15-4 overall and 8-2 in conference play this season.
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