KEUKA PARK, NY - The Utica University men's basketball team led from the opening tip-off and never looked back as the team took down the Keuka College Wolves 79-69 on Saturday evening. 

Justice Brantley recorded his third double-double of the season and his fifth-straight 20 point performance after recording team highs with 22 points and 11 boards while finishing tied for the team lead with four assists. Damien Call finished one point and rebound shy of a double-double as the junior totaled nine points and rebounds each. Thomas Morreale went off for 19 points and picked up seven rebounds while Avery Coston also finished in double figures with 12 points. 

For Keuka, Devin Milton netted a team high 21 points while teammates Daniel Obunse and Jaden Keasey finished with double figures as well. 

The Pioneers opened the game on a 7-0 run before eventually extending their lead to 13 with a 28-15 advantage with 7:14 to play in the half. Utica ended up taking a 12 point lead into halftime with Brantley leading the way with 13 points followed by Morreale and Coston with eight each. As a team, Utica shot 43.2 percent from the field in the first while forcing nine Keuka turnovers. 

Utica led by as many as 17 points in the second half, but the Wolves wouldn't shy away. The hosts chipped away to come within nine points with 6:40 to play and then again with a minute of action left. Morreale (layup) and Coston (free-throws) went on to put the icing on the cake to secure the win. 

Utica (9-2, 4-0 Empire 8) will take the court next in a game that will feature the final two unbeaten teams in Empire 8 play as well as a rematch of last season's Empire 8 Championship. The Pioneers travel to Rochester, NY on Tuesday to take on No.20 Nazareth College at 7:30 p.m.