Jan 25, 2014
GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College basketball team scored early and often en route to a 113-77 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Statesmen broke the school record for assists in a game and cracked the top five in field goals made, most points, field goal percentage, and blocked shots.
Hobart (12-4, 6-1) recorded 36 assists on the day, including a game-high seven from junior guard Trey Blanding, one more than the previous game record set against Ithaca in 1979. It was the second highest scoring game in Statesmen history (Hobart scored 114 on Oswego in 1978).
Hobart was 44-of-71 from the floor. Only the pre-3-point line Oswego game saw the Statesmen make more field goals in a game (51). Their 62 percent shooting effort is tied for the third best single game performance. Hobart also rang up eight blocked shots, which is tied for fifth on the school's single game list.
Senior forward Richie Bonney led the way with game-highs of 24 points and 11 rebounds. Junior guard Connor Rehbaum added 21 points, including four 3-pointers, six rebounds, and five assists. Senior guard Joe Gibbons chipped in 20 points and five assists. Rehbaum and Gibbons were a combined 16-of-21 from the floor. Sophomore guard Michael LaValle and first-year guard Thomas Campion contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, to give the Statesmen five players in double figures. All 11 Hobart players scored at least a point and nine recorded at least one assist.
RPI was led by senior guard Nick Keefe's 13 points. Junior guard Josh Dugas added 11 points off the bench.
The Engineers, who began the weekend third in the nation in scoring, play a fast tempo offense and high-pressure, full-court press defense. In the team's first meeting earlier this month, RPI forced Hobart into a season-high 22 turnovers, but the Statesmen were able to prevail 106-93.
Today, Rensselaer wasn't able to generate that kind of defensive intensity. Hobart needed just nine minutes to build a double digit lead thanks to Rehbaum's sharpshooting from beyond the arc. Blanding made a pair of free throws with 8:36 left in the first half to push the Statesmen lead into double digits for good, 37-26.
Coming off a 68-57 win over Skidmore last night, Hobart nearly matched its Friday scoring total by halftime against the Engineers, taking a 65-39 lead into the locker room. After the intermission, the Statesmen lead ranged from 26 to 40.
RPI shot 35.9 percent from the floor, 23.5 percent from deep, and 52 percent at the foul line. The Engineers were well below their season scoring average (92.3 ppg), logging their second lowest scoring game of the year.
Hobart returns to the court at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, when the Statesmen visit league rival Union. Rensselaer will be at home at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, to take on Vassar.