Box Score SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Connor Rehbaum produced a game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Hobart men's basketball team to a 70-63 conference win over Skidmore College, Saturday evening in front of a packed house at the Williamson Sports Center.
 
The Thoroughbreds, who had their six game winning streak snapped, go to 9-6 overall and 6-1 in the conference, while the Statesmen go to 10-6 overall and 5-2 in league play.
 
Connor Merrill led Skidmore with 18 points and seven rebounds. Erik Sanders had 14 points and four boards and Aldin Medunjanin tallied 12 points.
 
Skidmore got out to a seven-point lead in the opening minutes of the first half after five-straight points from Sanders, but Hobart responded with a 17-5 run to take a 27-22 lead. The Thoroughbreds rallied late in the frame with a 10-3 run capped by Nanribet Yiljep's buzzer-beating three to take a 39-36 lead into the break.
 
Skidmore carried the momentum into the second half, extending its lead to 10 with 17:52 to play after Sanders converted on a layup and the ensuing free throw. The Statesmen fired back with a 9-0 run capped by a Pete Drescher layup to pull in front 50-48. After Merrill knotted the score a 56-56 with 9:19 to play, Hobart took a five-point lead behind a Connor Costello layup and a Rehbaum three.
 
The Thoroughbreds chipped away at the lead, but poor shooting down the stretch gave the Statesmen the window they needed. Andrew Hoy provided the dagger, burying a three from the corner with 1:29 remaning to put Hobart in front 67-60. Skidmore had several looks at the basket late, but could not get its shots to fall, as the Statesmen held on for the 70-63 win.
 
Rehbaum was 9 for 17 for the contest, including 4 for 11 from downtown. Luke Ruddy chipped in with 10 points off the bench and Hoy had nine points and five boards.
 
Hobart held Skidmore to 20.0% (6-30) shooting in the second half, after the Thoroughbreds shot 53.6% (15-28) from the field in the first. The Statesmen shot 42.2% (27-64) for the game and had a 20-9 advantage in bench points.
 
Before the game, the Thoroughbreds acknowledged Connor Merrill for his 1,000th career point.

"Special thanks to all those that helped create such a great environment for the Big Green Scream," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke. "The place was rocking today. As for the game you have to tip your hat to Hobart. I thought tonight was one of the few times we got outplayed this year and they deserved to win the game.

"There's a long way to go in league play, we will get back to work this week and prepare for a tough road weekend."




Skidmore goes on the road to take on Vassar at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30.