A scoring surge in the first half proved to be the difference as Hobart College fell at Skidmore College 92-84 in a Liberty League men’s basketball game Tuesday.
The Statesmen took a 19-17 lead on Carter Meshanic’s 3-pointer with just under nine minutes remaining in the first half. The Thoroughbreds answered with a triple by Riley Greene that touched off a 17-6 run by the home team. Hobart turned the ball over on their next possession which led to a dunk by Harrison Eichelberge. The Statesmen missed their next shot and Skidmore grabbed the rebound and Tautvydas Kupstas made a jumper for a 24-19 Skidmore lead. The Thoroughbreds held a 34-25 lead by the time the surge was over on the way to a 43-32 halftime lead.
Hobart got within nine several times in the second half, but could trim its deficit to any less until the final minute of the game. Greene made a free throw with 20 seconds left to make it an 89-79 game. Adain Rodgers made a quick 3-pointer to make it a seven-point game with 17 seconds left. Hobart fouled Kupstas, who made both of his chances at the stripe. Jackson Meshanic got to the foul line for Hobart and made both of his freebies, but with just two seconds left, the Statesmen had run out of time.
Rodgers matched his career high with 21 points, making 7-of-14 from the floor with four 3-pointers. Patrick Walker scored a career-high 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Jackson Meshanic was 5-for-5 from the floor in a 14-point effort while also grabbing a team-high nine rebounds and dishing out a team-high four assists. Jack Lesure also scored 14 points.
Greene led all scorers with 30 points, including four 3-pointers. He also recorded a game-high four steals. Greg Skoric recorded a double-double on 19 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Kupstas finished with 17 points and Ty Lamport added 15 points.
Most of the team statistics were relatively even with the exception of free throws. Skidmore was 18-of-24 (.750) while Hobart just 10-of-20 (.500).
The Statesmen (6-10, 3-6) will return home to face St. Lawrence (11-7, 5-6) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4.
