Box Score

SCHENECTADY, NY -- Senior gaurd Justin Gallo scored a career high 29 points and sophomore forward Keven Donohue tallied 20 as the Union College men's basketball team improved to 5-1 with an 89-80 non-league win over visiting Utica College Tuesday night at the Viniar Athletic Center. The Pioneers now stand 6-3.

Sophomore Joe Mason had a career best 12 assists and 11 points while sophomore Evan Croll scored a career high 13 points for the Dutchmen. Gallo and Rismir Dzanko each had three steals for Union, which shot a blistering 55% for the night. Gallo's six rebounds was a team high.

Utica, which also was strong with a 60% shooting mark, also had four players in double figures. Senior guard James Patterson scored 22 with six assists and Kevin Johnson had 17 points. Almir Gredelj finished with 11 points and Will Abrams added 10. Utica had a 32-23 rebouding advantage, as the game featured just 55 total rebounds due to the super shooting of both squads.

The Pioneers held a two point lead at the half, 38-36. The second half featured a furious pace with teams matching baskets on both ends. Union shot 70% in the second 20 minutes while Utica made 60% from the floor. Down 38-37 with 14 seconds elapsed in the second half, the Dutchmen went on a 19-8 run for a 56-46 lead with 12:32 left. The Pioneers got as close as four (63-59 with 9:50 left), and later after a layup by Abrams, trailed 76-73 with 4:32 left. But  the Dutchmen pulled away late at the line by making six straight free throws from 1:03 to 40 seconds remaining when they led by nine, the 89-80 final.

Union is idle until facing St. Scholastica in the Land of Magic Classic in Orlando, Florida on December 29. Utica is back on the court on January 7 to host St. John Fisher in Empire 8 play.