Utica, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team punched its ticket into the Empire 8 Conference Tournament for the first time since 2012-13 on Saturday as the Pioneers won their regular season finale against visiting Elmira College, 70-36. The Pioneers held the lead for the entire game, earned their largest margin of victory all season (34 points), and also won their fourth straight contest. The team's record now stands at 10-15 overall and 10-6 in conference play.

Utica, led by first year Head Coach Sean Coffey, secured the No. 3 seed in the Empire 8 Tournament and will travel to host St. John Fisher College on Friday to take on No. 2 Stevens Institute of Technology at 8 p.m. 10 regular season conference wins for the Pioneers is their most conference wins since the 2008-09 season.

UC's Bennito Ayarza was the top scorer in the game, as he finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) added 14 points of his own to go along with nine rebounds and five blocks in the contest. Justin Strielkauskas (Waterbury, CT/Holy Cross) finished with totals of 13 points and four boards. The Pioneers outscored Elmira 46-22 in the second half and out-rebounded their opponent 44-31 in the game.

Utica took control of the game early as the team held a 9-0 lead with 14:37 left in the first half. The Pioneers were up 19-6 with seven minutes remaining before halftime after a Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) 3-point basket. UC earned a 24-14 lead going into the halftime break. Ivan Iton was the first half high scorer with eight points, four rebounds and two blocks.

The Pioneers made four 3-point shots in the first 4:12 of the second half to break the game open, making the score 37-20 with 15:48 left. Freshman Justin Strielkauskas (Waterbury, CT/Holy Cross) scored all 13 of his points in a span of 8:28 in the second half, shooting 4-for-5 from the floor and 3-for-3 at the free throw line. UC continued to dominate the game on the offensive and defensive side of the ball earning a 37-point lead, the largest of the game, with 3:44 left on the clock. Utica was able to cruise through the final stretch of the game, earning the 34-point victory.

Elmira was led in scoring by Matt Davis, as he finished with eight points and five rebounds. The Soaring Eagles were held to a field goal percentage of 29.6% in the game and shot 16.7% from behind the 3-point arc.