MARCY, N.Y. – After starting the season 0-8, the Wildcats (2-8) are now on a two-game winning streak thanks to an 88-75 win over the visiting Pioneers of Utica College (3-7). SUNYIT turned in their finest offensive performance of the season, converting 56% of their shot attempts while utilizing a balanced attack that saw five Wildcats score in double-figures.

For the visitors, it was a pair of 6-4 slashers doing most of the damage, as Marion Lewis and Chris Jeffers combined for 50 of Utica's 75 points on the night. Lewis poured in 29 to go along with 7 rebounds and a game-high 5 steals, while Jeffers scored 21 on 10 of 13 shooting while tying with Lewis for the team-lead in rebounds with seven.

SUNYIT built a 35-25 lead with 3:17 to go in the first half, as sophomore forward T'Andre Richardson was spectacular in the first period. Richardson finished the half with 12 points and 8 rebounds. The Pioneers – known to score in bunches – would close the half on a 12-0 run to take a 37-35 lead into the half.

Different players stepped up all night for the Wildcats, and when the Pioneers came out in the second half committed to limiting Richardson's impact, junior guard Ryan James (Saratoga Springs, N.Y. / Saratoga Springs) was there to carry the torch. James kicked off the half with a jumper to tie the score at 37, then scored 10 of the Wildcats next 23 points as SUNYIT took a 60-55 lead at the 12:09 mark.

With 9:26 to play Marion Lewis converted his only three-point attempt of the game to tie the score at 62-62. It would be the last time the Pioneers had a share of the lead, however, as SUNYIT pushed its lead to six, then eight, and finally ten with 1:34 to play on what was indisputably the play of the game. After a turnover by Lewis, SUNYIT guard Alex Drake (Lansingville, N.Y. / Lansinburgh) broke down the Utica defense in transition to create an advantage for the Wildcats. He then whipped a one-handed pass from just inside half court to a wide-open Richardson, who delivered a thundering two hand dunk while being fouled by Chris Jeffers. The play put SUNYIT up 82-71 after Richardson knocked down the free throw, and with time running out the Wildcats made their free throws to salt the game away.

For the Wildcats, James finished with 22 points on an efficient 9 of 12 shooting to lead SUNYIT in scoring, but also came up with two big steals down the stretch to quash the Pioneer comeback attempt.

Desmian Greer (Washington Heights, N.Y. / Chesire Academy), coming off an all-tournament performance over the weekend for the Wildcats, had another solid game with 18 points and 4 assists, and Kaleel Johnson (Syracuse, N.Y. / Syr. Academy of Science) added 12 points and 5 rebounds despite battling foul trouble, even adding an electrifying dunk during IT's first half run, stealing the ball before throwing down a one-hander with the left to put SUNYIT up 25-21.

After a grueling non-conference schedule, SUNYIT looks to keep up the momentum of their last two games as the team enters the NEAC portion of their schedule this Saturday. The Wildcats travel first to Penn State-Harrisburg for a 2:00 pm match up, and then continue down to the nation's capitol for a game at Gallaudet on Sunday. Keep it tuned to the Wildcat twitter feed (@ITWILDCATS) for updates on the weekend's slate of games.