CANTON, N.Y.—Noah Meren scored 28 points to lead the Skidmore College men's basketball team to an 83-67 road win over St. Lawrence University in the Liberty League opener for both teams Friday night.

The Thoroughbreds improve to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in conference, while the Saints fall to 2-4 and 0-1.

Joining Meren in double figures were Edvinus Rupkus and Jack Byrne with 13 and Dakpe Yiljep with 12. Meren added seven assists, two steals and a block. Rupkus had four assists, while Chas Ta had seven assists.

Jordan Huntley and Chris Miner led the Saints with 12 each.

Ta drilled a three-pointer for the game's first points and a 3-0 Skidmore lead. A lead that would last the entire game. The Thoroughbreds went ahead 14-4 on three straight free throws by Yikjep after he was fouled on a three-point attempt with 13:51 to play in the first half.

Skidmore led by as many as 21, before settling for a 42-18 lead at the break. The Thoroughbreds went 7-12(58.3%) from three-point range in the half, while holding SLU to 9-30 (30%) from the floor, including 3-11 (23.1%) from beyond the arc.

It was more of the same in the second half, with the Thoroughbreds taking a 26-point lead, 64-38, on a three by Ty Lampert with 12:18 to play. The closest the Saints were able to get was 14, 77-63 with 2:38 to play, before Skidmore wrapped it up 83-67.

The Thoroughbreds finished with a lofty 28-44 (63.6%) from the floor and 11-17 (.64.7%) from the three-point range.

"I was pleased with our effort, energy and communication tonight," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke.  "St Lawrence is a tough place to win and are guys respect that.  I thought we played with the sense of urgency that you need to win a road conference game."

Skidmore continues its North Country trip on Saturday with a 4 p.m. game at Clarkson.