Utica, NY—The Sage Colleges' men's basketball team travelled to Utica College for an Empire 8 match-up with the Pioneers on Tuesday night. In a game that featured six ties and 13 lead changes, Utica triumphed, 79-75 to improve to 8-6 overall and 3-2 in the league. Sage drops to 6-7 overall and 1-3 in the Empire 8.
Utica held a 41-40 lead at the break and Sage would jump out to a 70-67 lead on a three-pointer by senior guard Jordan Devaughn (Jacksonville, FL/Flora McDonald Academy) at 6:03. Utica clawed their way back and Sage kept answering with clutch baskets of their own. Devaughn added a jumper at 1:03 to pull Sage back within two points, 75-73. Utica's Hunter Remley answered with a three-pointer at 0:39 giving the Pioneers a 78-73 lead. Junior Kevin Lenehan (Delanson, NY/Duanesburg) added two free throws at 0:25 to keep Sage within striking distance, down 78-75. Utica's Ivan Iton missed the first of his two free throws with 0:06 left and Sage was unable to cut into the score as time expired.
Devaughn led Sage in the contest with 20 points. He converted 8-of-15 field goals in the contest with three baskets from three-point range. Sage combined to shoot an impressive 47.4% from three-point range for the game as they hit 9-of-19 from down town.
Senior center Barceem Dukes (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) collected a double-double as he added 14 points with 13 rebounds. Senior Stephen Paulk (West Palm Beach, FL/Palm Beach Lakes) tied his personal-best after adding 11 points off the bench in the contest and made all but one shot from the floor, converting 5-of-6 field goals on Tuesday night. Sophomore guard Isaiah Scurry (Albany, NY/Albany) both finished with 12 points collecting all of his points from three-point range.
Utica's finished with a game-best 21 points and made 9-of-11 field goals for the Pioneers and was joined in double-digit scoring three teammates that all added 10 points apiece.
Sage will return to action on Friday, January 19 travelling to Alfred University for a 6 p.m. for an Empire 8 contest.