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SUNY Geneseo

Official Text Slideshow

Pericolosi dribbling up the court
Benjamin Gajewski - North Street
62
Utica Utica 17-9,10-6 Empire 8
68
Winner SUNY Geneseo Genes 16-10,11-5 Empire 8
Utica Utica
17-9,10-6 Empire 8
62
Final
68
SUNY Geneseo Genes
16-10,11-5 Empire 8
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Utica Utica 36 26 62
SUNY Geneseo Genes 26 42 68

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men's Basketball Earns Thrilling First Round Win Over Defending Champions Utica, 68-62

GENESEO, N.Y. - The SUNY Geneseo men's basketball team knocked off the two-time Empire 8 defending champions Utica on Saturday afternoon, 68-62. Backed by a raucous home crowd and student section, the Knights earned the quarterfinal win in Schrader Gym for the program's first playoff victory since the 2013-14 season. Following upsets in the other three quarterfinal matchups, Geneseo now sits as the highest remaining seed left in the tournament, and will host #7 Keuka on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Schrader Gym.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
  • The Knights got off to a slow start, quickly falling behind 12-0 to the Pioneers. Utica opened the game 6-6 from the field, while forcing five turnovers on the Knights. Justin Yearwood and Jackson Casey eventually settled the Knights offense into the game, knocking down a pair of three's.
  • Down by 10 later in the half at 22-12, the Knights went on an 8-2 run powered by shots from deep by Robert Pericolosi and Colin Gentile. Utica was able to regain control before halftime however, taking a 10-point lead into the locker rooms.
  • Geneseo opened the second half on an 11-2 run, backed by three's from Pericolosi and Trevor Hofer. As the Knights defense continued to stifle Utica in the second half, Hofer and Gentile knocked down back-to-back three's to mark the first lead of the game at 43-40 with 13:08 left to play.
  • James Burton knocked down a big three for the Knights to push the lead to 54-50, but consecutive shots from Daiyon Thompson and Utica put the visitors back ahead by two points. Down by four with 3:30 left, Pericolosi scored seven unanswered points for Geneseo to extend the lead to 64-61 with 1:30 to play.
  • The Knights dominant defensive second half continued down the stretch, only allowing one point in the final 3:30 of action to secure the playoff victory, 68-62.
QUICK FACTS:
  • Pericolosi put up a dominant performance for Geneseo, leading the team in scoring and rebounding with 18 and nine. Pericolosi's defense and rebounding played a key role in the Knights second half defensive turnaround, limiting Utica to just eight points in the paint in the second half, compared to 32 from the first half.
  • Wallace Rahmaan Jr. played key minutes for the Knights in the second half, turning up the defensive intensity which limited Utica to only 26 points in the half and 21 shots attempted.
  • Gentile and Josh Garelle each chipped in 11 points, while tallying eight and seven rebounds, respectively.
  • Coach Minton added that the crowd played a major factor in the Knights comeback win, with the fans bringing the energy to fuel the team's momentum.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Geneseo will host the semifinal round against Keuka on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Stay tuned to geneseoknights.com for ticket information.
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