Late push carries Hobart past Skidmore 60-49

More news about: Hobart
GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College basketball team ended the game on a 19-8 run to post a 60-49 Liberty League victory over Skidmore College in Bristol Gym tonight. Stefan Thompson logged a game-high 23 points and Matt Pebole added a double-double to pace the Statesmen.
 
The game featured the top two scoring defenses in the conference. The Thoroughbreds were allowing a league low 62.2 ppg. Hobart was close behind at 62.5. While Hobart was limited to a season lows of 60 points and a .405 shooting night, the Statesmen also kept Skidmore under wraps. The Thoroughbreds shot just 25.4 percent from the floor, that program's worst shooting performance in at least nine seasons.
 
Thompson was 13-of-14 from the free throw line, handed out a team-high three assists, and recorded a game-high three steals. Pebole scored 19 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, helping the Statesmen post a 45-33 advantage on the glass. Richie Bonney chipped in seven points and eight rebounds.
 
Terron Victoria led Skidmore with 11 points and John Mantas added 10 points off the bench.
 
The Thoroughbreds built a 9-1 lead right off the bat, but Hobart kept its composure and battled back with a 12-3 run to take the lead. The Statesmen stayed out front for the remainder of the opening half, carrying a 27-25 lead into the break.
 
Neither team led by more than four through the first 10 minutes of the second half. Connor Merrill knocked down a jumper for Skidmore to tie the game at 41-all with 10:25 remaining. Hobart scored the game's next five points, kicking off its finishing run.
 
Mantas hit a 3-pointer to make it a two-point game with 7:41 left, but that was as close as the Thoroughbreds (14-7, 8-4) got.
 
The Statesmen improved to 18-4 overall (11-2 in LL). Only two Hobart teams in the 102-season history of the program have won more games in a season. The win, coupled with Rensselaer's 81-76 loss at RIT tonight, clinched a Liberty League Tournament berth for the Statesmen.
 
Hobart will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 11, when the Statesmen host Rensselaer. Skidmore also returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 11, when the Thoroughbreds visit RIT. Both games are scheduled to tipoff at 4 p.m.