Utica, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team beat Sage at home on Tuesday, 79-75. This marks the third win in a row for the Pioneers, as they improve to 8-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
The two teams went back and forth early on in the first half, as the score was tied at 10-10 just five minutes into the contest. Back-to-back 3-point baskets, from Tyler Jollie (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro) and Ryan Johannes (Southbury, CT/Catholic University), gave UC a 22-17 lead with 10:53 left until halftime. Sage did not go away, as the Gators cut Utica's lead to just one point with a 3-point shot in the final minute of the first half. The Pioneers entered the locker room with a 41-40 lead at halftime.
Sage started the second half strong with a 13-4 run in the span of just 2:52, to take a 53-47 lead with 14:56 on the clock. The Pioneers would work to take back the lead, as an old fashioned 3-point play by Justin Strielkauskas (Waterbury, CT/Holy Cross) gave them a 58-57 advantage with 11:21 remaining. Ryan Johannes (Southbury, CT/Catholic University) made two big shots for Utica, from beyond the arc, to help the team earn a four point lead heading into the final four minutes of regulation. A clutch 3-point shot from Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) and a free throw from Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) would seal the game in the final minute, as the Pioneers held on for the four-point victory at home. The team improves to 7-1 at home so far this season.
Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds, as he shot 9-for-11 from the floor on the night. Justin Strielkauskas (Waterbury, CT/Holy Cross) had a solid outing off the bench, finishing with 10 points and four rebounds. Bennito Ayarza (Brooklyn, NY/Cayuga Community College) tallied 10 points and five assists, while sophomore Hunter Remley (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) also scored 10 points. Carl Taylor (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) did a little bit of everything, recording a stat line of eight points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Ryan Johannes (Southbury, CT/Catholic University) provided a spark with his jumpshot, pouring in a career-high nine points on a 3-for-3 effort from beyond the arc.
Sage was led in scoring by Jordan Devaughn's 20 points, as he also recorded four assists and three steals in the game. Barceem Dukes notched a double-double in the contest, finishing with 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Isaiah Scurry tallied 12 points on 4-for-8 from long range, while teammate Stephen Paulk added 11 points off the bench. The Gators drop to 6-7 overall this season and are 1-3 against Empire 8 opponents.
The Pioneers hit the road on Friday, as they matchup with E8 foe Houghton College. The game is set to tip-off at 6 p.m.