SCHENECTADY, NY -- #Steve Madej# scored a career best 35 points and made nine of 12 three point shots while #Joey Lokitis# tallied 19 points as the Union men's basketball team's home opener was an 87-81 triumph over SUNYIT Thursday night at the Viniar Athletic Center. The Dutchmen are now 3-2 and the Wildcats stand 4-2.

Madej made 12 of 15 shots from the floor and added four rebounds and three steals. He eclipsed his previous career high (24) with a three pointer with 3:04 remaining in the first half, and he finished the half with 27 points. He became the first Union player to score 30 points in a game since January 6, 2007, and his total of 35 was the most by a Dutchman since John Cagianello scored 36 at home against Washington & Jefferson on December 12, 2005.

#Matt Covucci# had season and career bests of five blocks and 15 points, and #Drew Goldstein# added 10 points for Union, which shot 60% for the game and 73% (19 for 26) in the first half.

Senior guard Ajani Edwards (Brooklyn, NY) led the Wildcats with 16 points and sophomore forward David Golembiowski (Barneveld, NY) scored 15 points. SUNYIT also featured 14 points from sophomore forward Derek Hahn (Youngsville, NY). 

The Dutchmen led 47-39 in the first half after the stunning shooting performance, while the Wildcats had an impressive percentage of their own, 52%. Madej was 10 for 11 in the first 20 minutes, and made seven of his eight three point attempts in that half. Union had an 11 point lead at 65-54 with 12:58 left in the second stanza, but the Wildcats had a run of 7-0 in the next 2:38 to make it 65-61. Union got it back up to 11 at 77-66 with 5:57 left. But SUNYIT chipped away and got to within two at 77-75 with 2:08 left, the closest the Wildcats would come in the second half.

Union will host Middlebury Saturday for a 4 p.m. start.

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