David Corrales Marco was a perfect 6-for-6 from 3-point range on his way to a game-high 19 points as his Hobart Statesmen defeated the visiting Bard Raptors 97-77 in a Liberty League men’s basketball game played in Bristol Gym Tuesday. He is the first Statesman with a perfect shooting percentage from beyond the arc with at least six makes.
Corrales Marco was 2-for-2 from deep in the first half, hitting his second at the buzzer to send Hobart into the break, leading 48-34. He next triple didn’t come until more than eight minutes into the second half, but it gave the Statesmen a 20-point edge. Just about a minute later, he dialed long distance for a fourth time and a 21-point Hobart lead. Corrales Marco made it 5-for-5 near the seven-minute mark and wrapped up his big game with his sixth three with just over five minutes left. His only misses from the floor were on a pair of layup attempts. He was 1-for-2 at the line to complete his 19-point scoring line.
Four other Statesmen also reached double digits, including Pat Healy, who led all players with 11 first half points on his way to a 14-point game. Jackson Meshanic and Patrick Walker both finished with 11 points and Carter Meshanic added 10 points. Healy and Carter Meshanic shared game-high honors with four assists apiece.
Hobart outrebounded Bard 41-32. Jackson Meshanic paced the Statesmen on the glass with a game-high eight. Hobart shot 56.9% from the floor for the game, including 12-of-27 from deep.
Bard had four players in double figures led by a pair of 13-point efforts by Azriel Almodovar and Lazaros Panagiotounis. Kevin Le and Henry Meyers both chipped in 10 points.
Bard shot 40.9% from the floor with six 3-pointers. The Raptors made more free throws (17) than the Statesmen attempted (16).
Bard jumped out to an early 9-2 lead, but Hobart shook off the slow start with a 22-6 run that saw six different Statesmen score. Carter Meshanic led the surge with six points. The Raptors slowed the run with a layup followed by a 3-pointer, but Hobart answered with a 12-1 push that including a three from Jack Lesure followed by Corrales Marco’s first triple and then three straight buckets by Healy. While Hobart went 5-of-8 from the floor and grew its lead to 36-21, Bard when cold, missing four straight shots.
In the second half, the Raptors managed to get within 13 twice, but could get no closer. The first time, after a free throw by Greg Farrow made it 52-39, Aidan Rodgers hit a three for Hobart. The second time, Heston Tucker sank a freebie to make it a 58-45 game, but Carter Meshanic scored on a driving layup, blocked the Raptors next shot and then scored off the drive a second time. Corrales Marco made it a 7-0 run with his third 3-pointer at 11:30.
From there, the Statesmen kept the visitors in the rear view mirror on the way to victory.
With two games remaining in the regular season, Hobart (11-12, 8-8) is tied with St. Lawrence (14-9, 8-8) and Union (11-11, 8-8) for fifth place in the league standings. The top six teams make the Liberty League Tournament.
The Statesmen will be back in Bristol Gym to host Vassar (15-6, 11-4) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18. Bard (8-15, 4-12) will travel to Ithaca (15-8, 11-5) on Friday.
