Union 80, Utica 77 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (12/13/2011) – The Utica College men's basketball team charged back from a 14 point second half deficit to tie the game with under two minutes to go, but visiting Union College was able to weather the storm, as the Dutchmen earned an 80-77 victory over the Pioneers in non-conference action at the Clark Athletic Center Tuesday night.  Senior point guard Marlon Davidson led the Pioneer charge with a career-high 14 second half points off the bench.  Juniors Matt Baldwin and Jeff Ward each chipped in with 16 points apiece and Ward was able to grab a game-high 14 rebounds. 

The Pioneers (3-6) have stumbled headed into the holiday break, losing five in a row, while the visiting Dutchmen (5-1) have won five in a row. 

Union opened up a quick six point advantage, 8-2, in the first two minutes of play before the Pioneers went on a 7-0 run to take the lead, 9-8, less than three minutes into the contest.  UC was able to hang onto that lead for the majority of the first half until Union went on a 7-0 run in the final 3:06 of the to take a 42-35 lead into the locker room. 

The Dutchmen started the second half on an 10-4 run to take a 12 point advantage with 15:25 to go in the contest.  They were able to extend that lead to as many as 14 with 11:18 to go before the Pioneers made their second half push. Davidson scored 12 of his 14 points in a span of 5:36 to cut the visitors lead to just two points with 6:02 remaining.  Two free throws by Baldwin knotted the score at 75-75 with 1:53 left, and after two Union free throws, Davidson was able to convert on another lay-up with 1:21 to go to tie the score at 77-77 with 1:21 left in regulation.

Kevin Donohue, who finished the day with 17 points and nine rebounds, knocked down a clutch 3-pointer with 1:02 left and Baldwin was called for a charge on the Pioneers next possession to seal the victory for Union. 

Rusmir Dzanko led all scorers with 32 points and he also grabbed 10 rebounds to pace the Dutchmen.   Senior swingman Reggie German scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Utica. 

UC returns to the court after break on Jan. 3 when it travels to local rival SUNYIT for a non-conference affair at 5 p.m.

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