GENESEO, N.Y. - The SUNY Geneseo men's basketball team picked up a big Empire 8 win on Friday night, defeating Utica 75-57. The victory improves the Knights record to 14-9 overall and 10-4 in the conference, while Utica dips to 17-6 and 10-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Knights dominated the action from wire to wire, with their only deficit of the game coming at 3-2 after the opening possessions. Justin Yearwood and Josh Garelle jump started the Knights offense, combining to score the first 15 points of the game.
• Trevor Hofer put Geneseo ahead by double-digits in the first half, scoring seven-straight points for Geneseo to go ahead 25-14. The Knights went on to lead by as many as 15 points after Colin Gentile drained a shot from deep, but the Pioneers closed the gap to end the half and Geneseo only held a five-point lead at the break.
• The Knights came out strong to open up the second half and get the momentum back on their side, with Justin Yearwood and Jackson Casey knocking down three's. Jaiyden Jones also provided a big highlight early in the first half for the Knights, throwing down a dunk to extend the lead to 55-45.
• Geneseo's defense continued to stifle Utica down the stretch, as they limited the visitors to just 24 second half points en route to the 75-57 win.

QUICK FACTS:

• Garelle dominated the action for the Knights, posting a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds. He also added six assists and three steals.
• Hofer added 23 points as well, shooting 4-6 from three. Robert Pericolosi added 10 points as well.
• The Knights defense was dominant, limiting the Pioneers to just 33 percent shooting from the field and 23 percent from three. Geneseo also won the rebounding battle by a 45-33 margin.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Geneseo will host SUNY Poly tomorrow at 4 p.m. for Senior Day.