UTICA, NY – Despite a game-high 29 points from senior David Golembiowski (Barneveld, NY/Holland Patent), the SUNYIT men's basketball team fell to local rival Utica College 75-63 in its 2010-11 season opener at the Campus Center Gymnasium Friday night.

The Wildcats came out hot, jumping out to a 20-13 lead in the first 11 minutes of action.  Utica would storm back however, going on a 10-3 run over the next four minutes of play to tie the game at 23, and the game would remained tied at the break at 29 all.

After both teams exchanged baskets to open the second half, Utica senior James Patterson turned two consecutive steals into four points to give Utica a slight 35-31 edge with 19:15 left, and the Pioneers would keep the lead until The Wildcats rallied over the next four minutes to tie the game at 43 all with 15 minutes left.  But Utica would open the game wide open from there with a 12-2 run over the next eight minutes to take a 10-point lead.  SUNYIT would never recover and would eventually suffer the 12-point loss.

Golembiowski added 10 boards and two blocks to his point total, while fellow classmate Calvin Logins (Lyons, NY/Keuka College) registered 12 points and nine rebounds in his Wildcat debut.  Junior Clint Foster (Candor, NY/North County CC) hit three 3-pointers and finished with nine points and three boards, while sophomore Julian Bostick (Utica, NY/Herkimer County CC) finished with eight points and five assists.

Patterson led Utica (2-0) with 21 points, six rebounds, a game-high six assists and four steals.  Sophomore Kevin Johnson scored 17 points and also came up with four steals, while senior Will Abrams scored 13 points and sophomore Jeff Ward grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.

The Wildcats will look to rebound this Tuesday when they host Medaille College in non-conference action.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.