BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Union defeated New York City College of Technology in non-league men's basketball, 86-69, at City Tech's Klitgord Center tonight. It was the season opener for the Dutchmen, who were led by senior guard John Cagianello (Wethersfield, CT/Loomis Chaffee) with 30 points, including 5-7 from three-point land and 5-6 from the charity stripe.

In a battle of second round NCAA teams from a year ago, the Yellow Jackets were outrebounded 41-29, even though the hosts caused 11 more turnovers (22-11) from the Dutchmen. After scoring the first basket of the game, City Tech (1-3) fell behind by as many as 16 points in the first half (24-8) when senior forward Brian Scordato (Mount Kisko, NY/Horace Greeley) hit two free throws, only 9:30 into the game. But the Yellow Jackets stormed back and cut the lead to three points, 36-33 on a 13-2 run with 2:14 remaining before the break. A three-pointer by junior guard Joseph Mackey (Flushing, NY/Archbishop Molloy) made the score 39-33 and then the Dutchmen went into the half up 42-35.

Mackey finished with 15 points (4-5 on three point field goals) off the bench. Senior guard Jim Rahill (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) and classmate Darcy Bonner (Chicago, IL/Loyola Academy) each chipped in with 11 points.

Cagianello started off the second half the way he finished the first, hitting a three pointer (Union was 14-26 for the game) taking the lead back up to 10 points and the defending CUNYAC Champions were never able to recover. Union's lead grew to as many as 22 (11:59 remaining) and finished up at a 17-point margin. Junior guard Kareem Hanley led Tech with 20 points, 10 in each half, including back-to-back three pointers in the 13-2 first half run. Senior guard Clyde Forteau followed with 18 points, three assists, three steals and three rebounds. Freshman guard Jamaal Hall (Benjamin Banneker / Brooklyn, NY) had 13 points.

Union opens the home season at the Viniar Athletic Center Wednesday night at 7 p.m.