GLASSBORO, NJ - The Utica University men's basketball team has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament after defeating the Babson College Beavers 72-60 at Rowan University on Friday evening. 
 
Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) led the team with 21 points (8-12 FG, 3-5 3PT) to pair with a career-high six rebounds. Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) netted 15 points (6-12 FG) and grabbed four rebounds in the win while Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) also finished in double-figures with 14 points, 12 of which coming from the free throw line, and totaled a team best seven boards. 
 
Babson, who entered the game having won six consecutive games, were led by Nate Amado with 24 points and seven rebounds. 
 
The opening possessions set the tone for the entire tightly contested first half. Nate Amado of Babson hit one following tip-off while Thomas Morreale (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) answered right back on Utica;s ensuing possession. 
 
After Morreale's three, a quick 4-0 Babson run allowed the team to keep a modest lead throughout the first 10 or so minutes of the first half. With just over 11 minutes left in the first, Amado kissed a layup off the glass for a 16-11 lead, however, Utica found its stride right after. 
 
Darius Hopkins (Tampa, FL/Seffner Christian) drained a running floater to get the team off its cold spell while Luke Bourgault (Troy, NY/LaSalle Institute) went 1-for-2 from the line the next trip down the court to close the team's deficit to two. With under 10 to play, Dayion Thompson (Beacon, NY/Kimball Union Academy) tied the game at 16 with a floater of his own before Damien Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) gave the Pioneers their first lead of the game at the free throw line with around eight minutes remaining. 
 
Utica grew its advantage to 22-16 after Justice Brantley (Catskill, NY/Catskill) sunk a pair of free throws before assisting Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) on a contest three. With just over six minutes left in the half, two more Brantley free throws put the Pioneers ahead 24-16 but the Beavers came storming back. 
 
A couple more costly Utica turnovers, as part of 10 as a team in the half, allowed Babson to crawl back into the contest. A 28-23 Pioneers lead quickly evaporated When the Beavers went back out front 30-28 with just over one minute left in the half. Another Babson offensive rebound led to an Amado layup eventually gave the team a 32-28 lead while Hopkins eventually closed out the half with a scoop layup for a 32-30 deficit at the break. 
 
After a pair of empty possessions by both teams to open the second half, Hopkins drained a step-back three to give Utica a 33-32 lead. 
 
While the Beavers eventually knotted things back up at 37 all with 15:50 to play, the game shifted in Utica's favor. 
 
Hopkins responded with a quick layup which was followed up by a Morreale mid-range, a Call corner three and jumper, as well as a Hopkins Morreale jumper and just like that, a 13-0 Utica run put the team ahead 50-37 with just under 11 to play. 
 
Although Babson continued to battle, the Pioneers defended their lead. Babson was able to come within six points at the 4:57 mark but a 6-0 Utica run backed by a Hopkins three and a Morreale basket propelled the team back up by 12. 
 
That run would essentially put the game out of reach. Free throws and strong defensive play kept the Beavers at bay as Utica pulled away to dance on to the second round. 
 
Utica (23-4, 17-1 Empire 8) will face the winner of host Rowan University and Cal Lutheran at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.