Hobart basketball secured a dramatic 70-68 Liberty League victory over Vassar on Friday night in Bristol Gym, as junior Alex Moesch knocked down a turnaround jumper with 1.8 seconds remaining to lift the Statesmen.
Hobart improved to 13-11 overall and 7-10 in conference play, while Vassar fell to 1-23 (0-17 Liberty League).
Moesch led four Statesmen in double figures with 14 points and seven rebounds, delivering the game-winning basket after both teams traded missed opportunities in the final minute. Junior Dorian Paki added 13 points, a game-high eight rebounds and a career-best four assists, while sophomore Monty Nedd recorded 12 points and four steals. Sophomore Allen Mordi contributed 10 points and matched Paki with eight rebounds.
Vassar was paced by Shea Fitzgerald’s game-high 26 points along with seven rebounds and seven assists. Parker Neuenhaus added 12 points for the Brewers.
Neither team led by more than six points during a tightly contested first half. Hobart used an 11-2 run late in the opening period to take a 37-34 advantage into halftime.
The Statesmen built their largest lead early in the second half after a three-point play from Paki and a Moesch 3-pointer pushed the margin to nine. Vassar gradually battled back, tying the game at 67 with 2:25 remaining before taking a brief one-point lead at the free-throw line.
Paki’s free throw with 1:14 left tied the game at 68, setting up Moesch’s late heroics after defensive stops by both teams.
Hobart closes the regular season Saturday, February 21 against Bard at 4 p.m. in Bristol Gym.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].