Albany, NY—The Sage Colleges' men's basketball team hosted the Pioneers of Utica College on Tuesday evening in an Empire 8 league match-up. Elmira used a strong second half performance to earn the 79-69 win over the Gators. With the win, Utica is now 12-9 overall and 7-5 in the Empire 8, while Sage drops to 9-12 overall and 4-8 in the league.

Utica held a 30-28 lead at the break as senior Ivan Iton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) added nine points after making 4 of-5 shots from the floor after both teams had a combined 1-12 from the floor top open the game through the first six minutes. He finished the night with a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Pioneers. Senior guard Carl Taylor (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) added 15 points, while rookie forward Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) added 16 points off the bench with a pair of three pointers and a 6-6 effort from the line.

For the Gators, junior center Kevin Lenehan (Delanson, NY/Duanesburg) had 10 points in the first half, while adding senior Barceem Dukes (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) hauled in nine rebounds in the first half.  By game's end, Lenehan had a team-best 16 points and four rebounds with three blocked shots.  Duked added a double-double on 11 points with 12 rebounds including seven defensive boards with a pair of blocks.

Sophomore Isaiah Scurry (Albany, NY/Albany) also added 12 points for the Gators with two steals and an assist.

Sage held a 48-47 lead with 10:25 left to play before Utica went on a run. Sage tried to cut back into the lead and twice pulled within four points before Utica watched the lead grow back to 11 points, 74-63 with 2:34 left to play. Taylor had a big second half for Utica with 13 second half points, while Iton came up big on the boards with 13 second half rebounds.

Sage will return to action on Friday, February 9 hosting Houghton College in a 6 p.m. Empire 8 contest in conjunction with Alumni Night. The Pioneers will be in action on February 8 visiting Hartwick College in a 6 p.m. Empire 8 contest on the road.