ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Utica College men's basketball earned an 82-44 Empire 8 Conference victory over Elmira College at Pat Thompson '75 Court inside Speidel Gymnasium on Wednesday night.

While four Pioneers (1-0) had four players finished with double-digit points, the Soaring Eagles (0-3) recorded their lowest offensive output of the season with just 44 points on 17-of-66 shooting (25.8%). Isiah Charles '22 had a team-high nine points, followed by Shawn Backus '21 and David Kruis '23, who netted eight apiece.

Coming in off of the bench, Utica received a team-high 12 points from both Kobe Lufkin and Justice Brantley.

Charles opened the night with a hot hand for Elmira, scoring the team's first four points. Backus deposited the third field goal for the Soaring Eagles to even the score at 6-6 at the 14:32 mark of the first half. From there, the Pioneers logged 16 of the next 20 minutes to widen the gap to 12 at 22-10. EC responded quickly with six unanswered points, including a steal-and-score from Kyle Kokoskie '22, as the Soaring Eagles managed to cut the difference to 22-16.

Utica ended the first half on another sizeable run, buoyed by 3-pointers from Lufkin and Darius Hopkins, as the Pioneers entered the break leading 34-18. The Pioneers did not let off the gas in the second half, adding to their lead by converting at a rate of 57.9% (18-of-31) in the final 20 minutes.

News and Notes

• Elmira finished with a 25.8 field-goal percentage, its lowest of the season.
• Although the Soaring Eagles were only sent to the line nine times, EC produced a season-high 77.8 free-throw percentage.
• Charles and Kruis recorded new season-highs for points with nine and eight, respectively.
• Kruis was efficient from the field, making 3-of-5 shots (60.0%) and 2-of-4 treys (50.0%).
• Rashaad Nurse '22 pulled down a team-high seven rebounds to go along with five points, two steals, and one block.
• Several freshmen made their collegiate debuts on Wednesday, including Dylan Jacob '24, Liam Sanborn '24, William Tawamba '24, Michael Zaragoza Jr., and Langston Boyd '24.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles play host to Keuka College on Saturday, March 13, in the first-ever Empire 8 Conference meeting between Elmira and the Wolves. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.