Utica, N.Y. (11/19/2010) – Senior point guard James Patterson netted a team-high 21 points, including five three pointers, to lift the Utica College men's basketball team to a convincing 75-63 win at nationally-ranked No. 19 SUNYIT Friday night. The Pioneers (2-0) used a 26-10 run over the course of 12:21 in the second half, and held the Wildcats to 32.8% (20-for-61) shooting from the floor, en route to earning local bragging rights.

Sophomore Kevin Johnson chipped in with 17 points and four steals, while sophomore big man Jeff Ward ripped down a career-high 14 rebounds. Senior swingman Will Abrams totaled 13 points for the Pioneers.

SUNYIT (0-1) was led by senior All-American David Golembiowski's 29 points and ten rebounds. However, the Wildcats got just three points from its bench and three of their starters played all 40 minutes of the contest.

The Pioneers received a boost off the bench from fifth year senior Robert Whyte who scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds in 18 minutes of action. Sophomore Alex Meyer and Almir Gredelj combined for 12 rebounds for Utica.

The home team gave up the lead just one time in the first half and led by as many as eight points with 8:27 to go before intermission. UC closed out the first half of play on a 14-6 run to knot the score at 29-29 after 20 full minutes of play.

The Pioneers return to the friendly confines of the Harold T. Clark Gymnasium on Monday night for their home opener against non conference foe Oneonta State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Check www.ucpioneers.com for links to live video, audio and stats.

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