Men's Basketball | 2/4/2022 9:21:00 PM
KEUKA PARK, NY - Six players scored double figures in points as the Utica College men's basketball team's offense could not be slowed down in its 104-85 win over the Keuka College Wolves on Friday night.
Explosive offense defined the first half as Keuka went into the break with a 51-49 lead over the Pioneers. Both teams shot over 35 shots in the half while also shooting at least 40 percent from three. Utica was able to convert on eight of 13 three-point attempts in the first with Kobe Lufkin himself going 4-for-5. Lufkin totaled 14 first half points for UC while off the bench, Damien Call and Justice Brantley combined for 13 points and 5-of-9 shooting from the floor.
Utica remained hot in the second half as the team built off its 47.5 percent shooting first frame to shoot 59.5 percent as a unit in the second. Over the first 8:30 of the second, the Pioneers turned its two-point halftime deficit into a 12-point lead after outscoring the Wolves 23-9. Keuka was only able to bring the game back within single digits one time over the final 11:30 as the UC offense ensured the lead was safe.
Lufkin led the Pioneers in scoring with 21 points while it was Call and Thomas Morreale, the most recent two Empire 8 Rookie of the Year winners, who filled the box score with a double-double each. Morreale compacted 14 points and 10 rebounds into 23 minutes of play and Call totaled 12 points and 10 boards in 20 minutes. Chris Green (16), Darius Hopkins (14) and Kimedrick Murphy (10) completed the list of six players with 10-plus points.
UC (15-3, 8-1 Empire 8) battles Elmira College tomorrow afternoon on the road at 4 p.m.