LANCASTER, Ohio -- Coming into the game on a 5-game losing streak, Fairfield Christian hoped to get their first win against a 2-3 Utica.

Despite the Knights taking an early 27-15 lead they let off the gas in the fourth and allowed a quick comeback, as Utica picked up an important win on the road, 45-41.

The Knights led or were tied for the first three quarters of the game maintaining a double digit lead through the second and part of the third. While the Knights defense was superb through the first three quarters, the Redskins began to go on a run in the fourth and performed amazing on the defensive end holding the Knights to just three points.

The Knights were able to keep it within one possession until a missed three-pointer to tie was grabbed by the Redskins, forcing them to foul. One free throw was made, creating a two possession lead and winning the game for Utica.

At the beginning of the first quarter, the Knights created a quick 6-0 run by the works of junior Ben Smeltzer with two inside buckets. The Redskins responded with a 6-0 run themselves with a three-pointer and and-1. The strong offense continued for both teams, leading the Knights to a 13-10 lead.

Fairfield Christian was able to quickly propel themselves after a deep three ties it at the beginning of the second for Utica. Two three-pointers by senior Cameron Collins allowed for the Knights to take a 24-13 lead around the four minute mark. The Knights defense forced heaps of turnovers and missed shots for the Redskins in the second due to tenacious defense, causing Fairfield Christian to go into the locker room leading 26-15.

Utica began to chip away at Fairfield Christian’s lead hitting back to back threes in the third to cut the lead to nine with around six minutes remaining. Fairfield Christian responded with a four point swing creating two quick steals and open layups. The Knights and the Redskins went the next two possessions exchanging buckets. Following the quick exchange, a dry spell for both teams not scoring for the remainder of the quarter, allowing for a Fairfield Christian 38-30 lead. 

At the beginning of the fourth, freshman Daniel Rudolph created two buckets to bring the Redskins within five. With two more defensive stops and two possessions that led to fouls the Redskins bring it to a one point deficit. For the next three minutes both offenses went scoreless until the silence was broken with a floater by senior Cameron Collins to put the Knights up three. The Redskins rally back with four straight points to take the lead by one.

A possession later freshman Zach Heckman got a steal and a bucket to put Utica up 44-41. Out of desperation the Knights attempted to shoot a three-pointer and missed the mark allowing for Utica to ice the game on free throws. Utica made one free throw, winning the non-league game 45-41.

Zach Heckman (5’10 G / Utica / 2023): Heckman was by far the best scoring player on the court for both teams. Getting eight points in a variety of ways in the first three quarters allowed for Utica to stay within striking distance for the whole game. His fourth quarter was superb by any standard, scoring nine of Utica's 15 fourth quarter points. Heckman was blowing by any defender that tried him, allowing him to get six points off of free throws alone. Heckman was also Utica’s second leading rebounder despite his size, with five. The fight in this player is the reason Utica made this comeback and won the game. We look forward to watching Heckman more as he has the toughness part of the game figured out already, which is rare for most freshmen. 

Daniel Rudolph (6’2 F / Utica / 2022): Rudolph provides consistent scoring for this struggling Utica team, putting up buckets in all four quarters. Rudolph was also extremely active on the boards as Utica’s leading rebounder pulling down eight of them. Being active in the passing lanes, Rudolph was a major part in the Redskins’ second half comeback, becoming a defensive catalyst for a struggling Utica team.