GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College basketball team was already assured of the top seed in the Liberty League Tournament entering tonight's penultimate regular season contest against Clarkson University, but Bristol Gym had a playoff atmosphere as Statesmen fans were in full throat hoping to see Hobart avenge its only conference loss of the season and clinch the league's regular season title outright.
The Statesmen (18-6, 14-1) didn't disappoint, posting a 74-66 triumph behind senior Stefan Thompson's game-high 22 points. Junior Joe Gibbons added 16 points with junior Richie Bonney and sophomore Trey Blanding added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Bonney earned his 11th career double-double with a game-high 10 rebounds.
Hobart, which has won a school record 10 games in a row, shot 50.8 percent from the floor, making 7-of-16 3-point tries, and 7-of-11 at the line. The Statesmen enjoyed a 37-27 rebounding edge that led to a 15-5 advantage in second chance points.
Clarkson (16-8, 8-7) also had four players in double digits. Marques Charlton and John Coleman each recorded 17 points with Felix Abango chipping in 15 points and Jerry Coleman adding 13 points. The Golden Knights shot 45.8 percent from the floor, 8-of-16 from 3-point land, and 4-of-8 at the line.
In the first meeting between the schools, Hobart pounded the ball inside to Bonney, who scored a game-high 28 points in the 53-52 loss. Tonight, the Statesmen relied more on their guards to breakdown the defense off the dribble.
Hobart used a 13-6 first half run to stretch a 13-11 lead into a 26-17 advantage. A late push by Clarkson whittle the visitor's deficit down to just two, inside the final minute of the half, but Thompson buried a 3-pointer just ahead of the horn to send the Statesmen into the break with a 37-32 lead.
John Coleman led all scorers with 15 first half points on 7-of-9 shooting. Thompson paced the Statesmen with 11 points.
Bonney scored the first basket of the second half, but the Golden Knights countered with seven straight points, including five from Charlton to tie the game at 39. Hobart countered the threat with nine points in a row and a 15-2 run to build the largest lead of the game, 54-41, with 12:32 to go.
Clarkson refused to go away, getting within five three times in the final three minutes, but Hobart went 5-of-6 at the free throw line in the waning seconds to secure the victory.
The Statesmen will wrap up the regular season at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, when St. Lawrence comes to Bristol Gym. Clarkson will also play tomorrow at 4 p.m., visiting RIT.