Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-- John Mantas scored 23 points off the bench to lead the Skidmore College men's basketball team to a 76-67 win over St. Lawrence University in a Liberty League semifinal Wednesday night at the Williamson Sports Center.

The 18-8 Thoroughbreds tied a school win record and advance to Saturday's championship game at top-seed Hobart. The time is to be determined.  The Saints end their season at 14-11.

The first 10 minutes of the first half went back-and-forth with four ties and three lead changes. The Thoroughbreds trailed 16-14 with 10:00 to play in the half, but took the lead when Mantas stole the ball and started a fast break that ended with a Kyle Clark 3-pointer to make it 17-16 at 9:47.  Skidmore stretched the lead to 12 at 10 at the half, 36-26.  The Thoroughbred bench scored 18 of the team's 36 points, including 11 by Mantas.

The Saints hung tough in the second half, but were never able to get it closer than four points. 

Skidmore's bench outscored SLU 34-10 for the game.

In addition to his 23 points, Mantas racked-up four steals, two assists, and five rebounds.  Clark scored 12 points, while Melvis Langyintuo and Connor Merrill scored 11 each. Langyintuo added a game-high eight rebounds and Merrill had a pair of blocks. Gerard O'Shea had five assists, three steals and seven points.  Terron Victoria contributed six points and five assists.

Ralph Temguoa led the Saints with 16 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Terry Parham went 10-10 from the free throw line to finish 1ith 14 points, while Garrett Sharlow chipped in 13 points.

Skidmore will be making its second straight and third championship game appearance. The Thoroughbreds won the 2011 title, beating former league member Hamilton in a game played at Hobart.   The Statesmen swept the season series with Skidmore, winning 68-59 on Jan. 28 at Skidmore and 60-49 on Feb. 10 in Geneva.