OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Royce Paris and Edvinas Rupkus each totaled 20 points as Skidmore College downed Stevenson University 81-70 in the second round of the Hoopsville National Invitational Classic in non-conference men's basketball Saturday afternoon at Owings Mills Gymnasium.

Paris finished 8-17 from the floor for Skidmore (3-0), while Rupkus was 6-12 from the floor.  Aldin Medunjanin added 10 points for Skidmore, which is receiving votes in the D3hoops.com Top 25.

Juniors Michael Byrd and Tim McNeal each finished with 14 points to pace Stevenson (0-3).  Byrd went 5-5 from the floor, including both of his three-point attempts, and also dished out five assists, while McNeal grabbed seven rebounds. 

The teams traded the lead three times in the opening minutes before a 10-0 Skidmore run capped by a Marcus Jackson layup gave the Thoroughbreds an 18-9 lead with 10:53 to go in the first half.  Skidmore took its largest lead of the first half, 40-22, following a layup by Chase Ta with 1:31 left in the half, and the guests took a 42-28 lead into the locker room following a three by Byrd at the buzzer.

A three-pointer by Paris with 11:55 remaining gave Skidmore a 62-40 lead, and a Jack Byrne three with 10:57 left gave the guests their largest lead, 65-42.  Stevenson used a late 17-8 run to pull within 11, 78-67, with 1:31 left on a free throw by Benjamin Young, but the Mustangs got no closer.

For 32 minutes I was thrilled with how we played," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke. "Stevenson is talented and playing them on their court is no easy  task.

"Defensively, we set the tone early and created some separation which I thought was key. Offensively, we had a groove early and shared the ball really well.  Balance is the key and I thought we had it all weekend.

"Overall, we came down here to improve and play amongst some of the best teams in the country.   D3 Hoops and Stevenson do such a great job with this event. They really make it special for everyone and we leave Maryland knowing we can compete with anyone in the country."

Skidmore shot 49.2% for the game, including 51.7% in the second half, while limiting the Mustangs to 33.3% shooting in the first half and 41.4% for the game.  The Throughbreds went 10-25 from long range, with Stevenson going 7-24, and the Mustangs held a 37-33 rebounding advantage.  The hosts took 11 more trips to the free throw line, going 15-26 while Skidmore was 11-15.

The Thoroughbreds travel to Ithaca College for a 4 p.m. game Tuesday.