GENESEO, N.Y. - The SUNY Geneseo men's basketball team picked up a big Empire 8 victory on Tuesday evening, defeating Utica 64-59 in Schrader Gym. The win improves the Knights record to 5-8 on the season and 2-2 in conference play, while the Pioneers fall to 7-6 overall and 1-3 in the Empire 8.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Colin Gentile and Michael Gentile got the Knights offense started, both knocking down an early three to help take a 9-7 lead five minutes into the game. Later in the half, Geneseo trailed by as many as four points at 20-16, but they were able to battle back and a jump shot from Justin Yearwood with 19 seconds left cut the deficit to one heading to halftime.
• The Knights came out hot to start the second half, going on a 14-4 run to go ahead by nine points at 42-33. However, Utica had the answer once again and went on a 16-2 run to jump in the lead 49-44.
• The back and forth play continued as Drew Morrow and Josh Garelle helped lead an 11-0 run by the Knights with the duo combining for nine of the 11 points.
• With the game tied at 57-57 in the final four minutes, Garelle broke the tie with a layup, followed a few possessions later by a layup from Morrow to go ahead by four. Geneseo ultimately limited Utica to just two points in the final four minutes of 30 seconds of the game to earn the five point win.

QUICK FACTS:

• Trevor Hofer and Morrow led the offense with 13 points each.
• Garelle recorded a double-double with 11 points and game highs in rebounds with 17 and assists at six.
• The Knights outscored Utica in bench points by a margin of 36 to 10, and shot 46.7 percent from the field compared to 32.8 percent.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Geneseo will return to action in the Empire 8 on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. at Keuka.