CANTON, N.Y.—Edvinas Rupkus had a game for the ages with a Skidmore record 42 points in a title clinching 87-80 Liberty League win at St. Lawrence University Friday night.
 
The Thoroughbreds wins the regular season Liberty League crown with a 13-2 league mark and 18-6 overall record. Skidmore will close out the regular season at home Sunday at 4 p.m. against Clarkson and then host a semifinal game on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
 
The Saints are 13-3 and 20-5. Two of their losses are to the Thoroughbreds.
 
Rupkus was near perfect, going 14-18 from the floor and 14-14 from the line. He added eight rebounds, one assist, and a block. The talented sophomore broke the previous record of 41 points scored by Skidmore Hall of Famer David Burch in 1999 vs. Union.
 
Jack Morrow added 15 points and two assists, while Aldin Medunjanin dropped in 12 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists. Freshman Pat Gallagher contributed a team-high 10 rebounds. He also had seven points and four assists.
 
Skidmore took the lead for good, 20-18 on a Rupkus layup with 9:31 to play in the first half. The Thoroughbreds led by 13 early in the second half, 42-29. The Saints kept it close, cutting it to three, 83-80 with :16 left in the game. Rupkus, the league's top free throw shooter,  went 4-4 from the line over the final seconds to secure the 87-80 win.
 
"That was one heck of a win tonight," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke. "Regardless of how this all shakes out, St Lawrence is an NCAA tournament team in my opinion and they are really difficult to beat in their gym. We talked all week about bringing our hard hats and lunch pails because it was going to be that type of game.

"Everybody competed at an extremely high level. I thought we got contributions from everyone and  I honestly have never seen a guard have a stat line like Ed had tonight.

"The regular season championship is a nice accomplishment for the guys. We have plenty of work still to do but we talk about enjoying every step along the way and they should appreciate this one.

"I hope everyone can come out Sunday afternoon for the final regular season game and senior day. It's important for us to continue to play well as we head into the post season but it will also be extremely emotional because of what this class means to me and this program."