Hobart basketball received a career night from junior forward Dorian Paki, but a strong second half lifted Union Garnet Chargers to a 90-72 Liberty League win Friday night at Bristol Gym.
Paki paced the Statesmen with a career-high 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting while pulling down nine rebounds. He scored consistently in the paint and added three dunks as Hobart kept pace early. Sophomore Allen Mordi provided a boost off the bench with 15 points and five rebounds, while junior Alex Moesch posted 10 points and nine rebounds. Senior Gabriel Bergeron added seven points, three steals and three blocks, and sophomore Monty Nedd finished with a team-high six assists for Hobart Statesmen.
The first half featured nine lead changes and six ties, with neither team leading by more than five points. Hobart controlled the glass, outrebounding Union 26-14 and building a 13-5 edge in second-chance points. Union countered by scoring nine points off turnovers, and the teams went into halftime tied at 38.
Union seized control coming out of the break, opening the second half on a 15-5 run fueled by three early 3-pointers. Hobart briefly closed the gap to five, but Union answered with an 8-2 stretch to reestablish a double-digit lead. The Garnet Chargers shot efficiently in the half and maintained a cushion of at least eight points the rest of the way.
Union placed four players in double figures, led by Tanner Tedesco’s 24 points and eight assists and Matthew Garside’s 23 points.
Hobart slipped to 11-5 overall and 5-4 in league play. The Statesmen return to action Saturday, hosting RPI Engineers at 4 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].