BROCKPORT, N.Y.—Hobart College senior forward Richie Bonney scored 30 points to become the program's career scoring leader and propel the Statesmen to a 94-81 victory over No. 21 University of Scranton in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship in Vlogianitis Gym. One of five Hobart players in double figures, Bonney was 12-of-14 from the floor, including a 3-pointer, 5-of-8 from the free throw line, grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, handed out a team-high four assists, and logged a game-high four steals.
Five minutes into the second half, Bonney stepped to the free throw line for two shots. He swished the first to raise his career-point total to 1,702, surpassing Joe Corbett's 11-year-old record (1,701). Bonney heads to the second round with 1,714 career points.
Senior guard Joe Gibbons produced 18 points as did junior guard Trey Blanding. Junior guard Connor Rehbaum added 13 points, including three 3-pointers that raised his season total to 58 triples, seventh on Hobart's single season list. Junior guard Andrew Hoy chipped in 10 points.
Scranton (24-4) got a game-high 31 points and a team-high eight rebounds from junior Ross Danzig. Senior Tommy Morgan contributed 14 points and a game-high eight assists. Junior Justin Klingman added 13 points.
Hobart (22-6) shot 56 percent from the floor (6-of-11 from deep) and made more free throws (26) than the Royals attempted (15). The Statesmen dominated the glass 31-19 and committed a season-low five turnovers.
Scranton, which saw its 14-game winning streak come to an end, shot 65 percent from the floor and an eye-popping 9-of-12 from 3-point range. The Royals were just 10-of-15 from the line and committed 12 turnovers.
Scranton buried its first 3-point attempt of the night for the game's opening points and carried the early momentum. Back-to-back layups by Danzig and sophomore Marcus Thomas put the Royals in front 27-17 with 9:47 left in the opening half. Hobart countered with an 11-2 run that made it a one-point game following a Blanding jumper at the 7:04 mark. The Statesmen briefly took the lead, 41-40, on a Bonney layup at 1:26, but Danzig made a triple and ended the first half scoring with a layup to send Scranton into the break with a 45-42 lead.
The Royals shot 73 percent from the floor and made all five of their 3-pointers before the break.
Bonney led all scorers with 15 points at the half, two behind Corbett.
Hoy opened the second half with a 3-pointer, kick-starting an 8-0 Hobart run. Scranton got back within one, 52-51, at the 16:54 mark, but the Statesmen outscored the Royals 15-5 over the next five minutes to seize control of the game. Bonney tied and passed Corbett during the surge. He matched the record with a tip-in at 15:54. Bonney missed a pair of free throws on Hobart's next trip down the floor, admitting after the game that he was aware of their significance.
Trailing by 11 with 11:23 to play, Scranton made consecutive baskets to get within seven, but that was as close as they would get down the stretch. Bonney drained his three to return Hobart's lead to double digits, igniting a 9-0 run for the Statesmen. Rehbaum capped the run with a 3-pointer for a 76-60 lead. Hobart never let its lead dip below 10 the rest of the night.
Gibbons also moved up Hobart's career scoring list, raising his three-year total to 1,073, passing Art Lambert '58 (1,068) for 19th place.
The Statesmen will play in the second round for the third time in four NCAA appearances. Hobart will face the winner of Brockport/Morrisville at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 in Brockport.