Box Score Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – The Skidmore College men's basketball team's fought back but could not overcome a large halftime deficit in Saturday's 68-59 loss to Hobart.
 
The Thoroughbreds fall to 11-5 overall and 5-3 in the league, while the Statesmen improve to 14-3 overall and 7-1 in the Liberty League.
 
The teams traded baskets early in the first half, but after a three from Connor Merrill cut the Hobart lead to four, the Statesmen went on a 23-5 run capped by a layup from Richie Bonney.  Hobart shot 60% (21-35) from the floor in the first half and held a 48-28 lead at the break.
 
In the second half, Skidmore chipped away at the lead and was able to cut the lead down to single digits on a Gerard O'Shea three pointer with 55 second left. The Thoroughbreds were within seven after an O'Shea layup, but it was too late as Hobart hit its free throws down the stretch and held on for the 68-59 win.
 
Terron Victoria led the way for Skidmore with 16 points, six rebounds and four steals and O'Shea finished with 10 points and five assists.  John Mantas and Kyle Clark chipped in with nine points apiece and Merrill added five points, five rebounds and five blocks off the bench.
 
Matt Pebole tallied a double-double with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Statesmen.  Joe Gibbons added 15, Bonney had 13 and Stefan Thompson finished with 10 points and five assists.
 
Hobart held a 39-23 advantage in rebounds, while the Thoroughbreds shot 48% (24-50) from the floor compared to 45% (26-57) from the Statesmen.

"Tough team to come back from 20 points on" coach Joe Burke said. "They are talented at every position. We needed to defend way better in the first half to give ourselves a chance."

"Offensively we just need to make shots and I am confident we will start doing that. Its a long, long season and we need to have a good week of practice so we can start hitting our stride at the right time."
 
Skidmore returns to action on Friday at Vassar for an 8 p.m. tip.