SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-The Skidmore College men's basketball team secured the program's first Liberty League regular season title in program history, closing out the regular season with a 69-53 win over Clarkson Sunday afternoon at the Williamson Center.

The Thoroughbreds improve to 17-7 overall and 14-2 in the league, while the Golden Knights, who will be the three seed in the conference tournament, go to 17-8 on the season and 13-3 in league play.

Royce Paris led Skidmore with 19 points off the bench, going 5 for 11 from the field and 9 for 10 from the free throw line. Aldin Medunjanin added 14 points, Erik Sanders produced 10 points and six boards and Connor Merrill chipped in with eight points, seven rebounds and four blocks.

Skidmore opened the game on a 16-5 run behind seven points from Nanribet Yiljep. Clarkson used an 11-4 run to run to cut the Thoroughbreds lead to four, but Aldin Medunjanin answered back for Skidmore, knocking down three consecutive 3-pointers in a points in a 11-1 run. The Golden Knights scored the final four points of the frame to cut their deficit to nine at 31-22.

Clarkson continued to chip away at the lead in the second half. Felix Abongo brought the Golden Knights within five, tallying eight of his 18 second-half points in a 10-2 run, but that's as close as they would get. Skidmore scored the game's next seven points to take a 50-38 lead and never looked back, cruising to the 69-53 win.

Abongo scored a game-high 22 points, going 7 for 15 from the field and 8 for 10 from the charity stripe. Dylan Hodownes added 12 points and five boards.

The Thoroughbreds shot 40.7% (25-59) from the field, while the Golden Knights finished 17 for 49, including 2 for 13 from 3-point range. Skidmore also owned a 28-7 edge in bench scoring.

Before the game Skidmore honored its three seniors: Yiljep, Merrill and Eric Lowry.

"This was a tremendous day for our seniors and this program," said Skidmore head coach Joe Burke. "I want to thank Connor, Nan, Eric and Perun for everything they have done for Skidmore Basketball, this college and this community. They are a special group and this program is in great shape because of them.  Nan and Connor were my first two recruits to the program five years ago. They committed to the vision and have been extensions of me since day one.  For them and the whole senior class to go out with a regular season conference title is remarkable. 

"We all realize we have work to do and that we will have a great test in the semifinals on Wednesday. That being said, I want them to enjoy this accomplishment. Anyone in the coaching profession understands how hard it is to do what we just did. These guys went 14-2 in a very good college basketball league that plays on back-to-back nights on weekends. Every night is a challenge and these guys gutted it out. I am an extremely proud coach that is fortunate to have great players who are terrific people.
 
Skidmore hosts RIT in the Liberty League semifinal at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25.