Box Score Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – For the third consecutive year, the Skidmore College men's basketball team will be heading to the Liberty League Tournament after clinching a berth with Friday night's 102-96 victory over RPI at the Williamson Sports Center.
 
The Thoroughbreds improve to 16-8 overall and 10-5 in league play, avenging an early season loss to the Engineers.  RPI falls to 10-13 overall and 7-8 league.
 
Skidmore fell behind early but went on a 16-0 run capped by a Brian Lowry three-pointer to take a 19-13 lead.  The Thoroughbreds continued to control the tempo in the half as they went 12-of-23 from beyond the arc in the opening stanza and took a 54-40 lead into the intermission.
 
In the second half, the Engineers battled back from a 17 point deficit to take the lead on a pair of Matt Dixon free throws with 8:22 remaining.  Gerard O'Shea answered right back for Skidmore with a three before Redon Qello gave RPI the lead right back.  But that would be the final lead for the Engineers as the Thoroughbreds hit big shots and made their free throws down the stretch to earn the 102-96 victory and the chance to defend last season's Liberty League Championship.
 
Six players scored in double figures for Skidmore, led by a team-high 22 points and nine rebounds from Lowry.  O'Shea added 18 points and nine assists, while freshman Connor Merrill came off the bench to pour in a career-high 18 points.  Melvis Langyintuo chipped in with 15 points and nine rebounds and John Mantas added 14 points and seven assists off the bench.  Terron Victoria rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points.
 
Jamie Zajac scored 28 and Matthew Pooley finished with 26 to lead RPI.  Qello chipped in with 12 off the bench and Daniel Martin had a game-high 10 rebounds and two blocks.
 
The Thoroughbreds had 26 assists on 31 made baskets and shot 43% (15-for-35) from three compared to 34% (11-for-32) for the visitors.

"Crazy game as expected," said coach Joe Burke.  "RPI has a unique style and the tempo of the game is 100 mph for 40 minutes. As a coach you try and do the best you can to prepare your team. Once the ball gets thrown up its all them. So the players deserve all the credit for the win."
 
"It is exciting to be in the playoffs again. Tomorrow is an important game for seeding purposes but what's more important is honoring this senior class for the unbelievable achievements."

 
Skidmore wraps up its regular season tomorrow afternoon, when they host Union for a 4 p.m. tip.