Utica, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly men's basketball team concluded their 2024-25 regular season with an 80-72 loss to the Utica University Pioneers. Despite strong performances from Anthony Rose and Daimarr Miller, who both finished with 22 points, the Wildcats couldn't overcome a late surge by the Pioneers. SUNY Poly wraps up their regular season with a 16-9 record.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The game started with an early layup from William Scanlon, assisted by Lamarcus Merchant Jr., giving the Wildcats a brief lead. Utica quickly responded with a layup from Hagen Foley, and the two teams traded baskets throughout the first half. Devon Flynn and Dayion Thompson contributed key points for Utica, while Anthony Rose and Merchant Jr. led the charge for the Wildcats.

Midway through the half, SUNY Poly faced a setback when Merchant Jr. went down with an injury and was sidelined for the remainder of the game. With their momentum disrupted, Utica capitalized, building a slight lead with a big 3-pointer from Thompson. The Wildcats, however, answered back with a fastbreak layup from Kamryn Comstock, narrowing the gap to just 1 point at 12:00.

With both teams battling turnovers and missed shots in the final minutes, the game remained tight. As the clock ticked down, it was tied 42-42, but after a steal and fastbreak layup by Foley, Utica went into halftime with a 44-42 lead.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging baskets early on. Damien Call put Utica back ahead with a layup, but Rose responded with two free throws, keeping the game tight. After a fastbreak layup by Rose, the Wildcats briefly regained the lead at 50-49, but Utica quickly answered with a 3-pointer from Thompson and a layup from Call to retake the lead, 61-57.

In the final minutes, Utica's key plays from Call and Foley helped them pull away, while SUNY Poly struggled to convert on several opportunities. Despite a late push, the Wildcats couldn't catch up, falling to the Pioneers 80-72.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Wildcats now turn their focus to the Empire 8 playoffs, where they will host a home playoff game on February 22nd.

"Tough one tonight, obviously, but I'm proud of how our guys responded and battled after Marqus went down," said head coach Rob Schoener. "Tomorrow morning, everyone's 0-0, and we have to get ourselves ready to go win a playoff game Saturday afternoon!"