SCHENECTADY, NY -- Freshmen Jack Byrne and Edvinas Rupkus combined for 32 points to lead the Skidmore College men's basketball team to a 73-64 Liberty League win over Union College, at the Viniar Athletic Center Saturday afternoon. The Thoroughbreds are now 7-5 on the season while Union falls to 4-7. Both teams are now 2-2 in league play.

Byne hit his first three three-point attempts in the game's first 5:30 to put the Thoroughbreds up 15-4 and set the tone for the rest of the game. Burne

Rupkis scored a game high 17 points and Jack Byrne finished with15 point. Nick Volpe had seven rebounds and Chase Ta dished out three assists. Skidmore had a slight advantage in rebounds, 44-41, and turned the ball over just seven times for the contest.

Leading by as many as 15 (24-9) in the first half, Skidmore went into halftime with a seven point advantage at 38-31. Skidmore led by 12 at 45-33 with 17:49 to play after a layup by Rupkis, and also led by 12 with 12:39 left when Rupus made another layup. But Union got as close as seven (55-48) with 10:18 to play after two free throws by Greg King. Skidmore then went on a 15-5 run over the next 5:46 featuring six points by Jack Byrnes and had a 73-50 lead, the largest of the night, with 4:32 left.

The Thoroughbreds are back on the court Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. at Vassar College.

COACH JOE BURKE
Any league win on the road is a good win. We brought great energy and executed the game plan which was important. Union is really well Coached team so we are fortunate to get that win.

I was really happy with how the new guys played. As they grow, we will grow, because they are a very important part of this team.