SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—Junior forward Matt Pebole and sophomore guard Stefan Thompson combined for 41 points at the Hobart College basketball team posted a 75-66 victory over Skidmore College this afternoon. The Statesmen maintained their grip of first place in the Liberty League men's basketball standings, extending their lead over the second place Thoroughbreds to two games.

Pebole was 8-of-17 from the floor, including 4-for-4 from 3-point range, and grabbed six rebounds. Thompson shot 6-of-17 with a 3-pointer and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Senior Adam Salzmann also reached double digits, notching 10 points and eight rebounds. Senior guard Mark Bruce collected a team-high nine caroms, leading the Statesmen to a 52-37 advantage on the glass.

Skidmore also put three players in double figures, paced by Melvis Langyintuo's 14 points and game-high 10 rebounds. Terron Victoria and Jeff Altimar contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Hobart (16-4, 8-1) came out firing on all cylinders, building a 33-5 lead with 2:51 remaining before halftime. Skidmore (13-8, 7-3) regrouped enough to outscore the Statesmen 10-7 heading into halftime trailing 40-15. Hobart shot 42.9 percent from the field, while limiting the Thoroughbreds to just 16.1 percent. The Statesmen also enjoyed a 30-18 rebounding edge.

Skidmore came out a different team in the second half, working its way back into contention. Pebole sank the last of his 3-pointers at the 4:28 mark put Hobart in front 64-51. Over the next three minutes, the Thoroughbreds used an 11-3 run to cut the Statesmen lead to just five, but Hobart kept the home team at bay by making 8-of-10 from the free throw line in the final 90 seconds.

The Statesmen will be back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at Hamilton. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m.