Utica's Offense Too Much for Men's Basketball

Elmira, NY - In the second game of today's Empire 8 double-header the men's basketball team faced off against Utica College. 

Tonight's game started off fairly even with the Soaring Eagles pressing the Pioneers in the first minutes of the game.  Just like the women's game Utica started the night off with a three point basket of their own.  Unfortunately EC would never get the chance to take the lead from the Pioneers.  The score would remain in favor of the Pioneers for the entire 40 minutes.  Joe Prunier '07 would lead the team in scoring in the first half putting up a total of 11 points.  Prunier who currently leads the team in scoring finished the night with 15 points.  The first half would end with Elmira trailing by 14 points (29-43). 

Despite the 14 point deficit going into the second EC seemed confident that they could make up some points in the second half.  Prunier would make it a 11 point game in favor of Utica 4 minutes into the second half.  However Utica would answer right back and eventually stretch their lead to 24 points with 9:19 left in the game.  EC did everything they could to try and close the large gap between them and Utica.  With about 5 minutes left in the game EC would narrow Utica's lead back down to a 15 points.  The game would end with Utica handing EC their second conferene loss of the season going into tomorrow's second conference game of the weekend for men's basketball.

Besides Prunier, first year player David Nelson '10 who led the team with 17 points, had a very strong performance for EC.  Palen Andreozzi '10 finished the night with 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

EC will look to bounce back from tonight's loss when they take on Empire 8 conference rival Hartwick College tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Speidel Gymnasium.

Box Score