SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Skidmore shot a program record 67.3% from the floor on the way to an 81-50 Liberty League men's basketball win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Saturday evening at the Williamson Center.
 
The Thoroughbreds have won four straight conference games to remain in first place with a 12-6 overall and 10-2 league record. The Engineers are 10-8 and 5-6.
 
Noah Meren scored a game high 24 points to go along with three assists, a block and a steal. He was 11-14 from the floor (78.6%), including four dunks. Edvinas Rupkus hit for 22 points on 10-12 (.833) shooting and Chase Ta contributed 19 points and six assists. The three combined to shoot 74.4% from the floor, going 29-39, including 5-10 from three-point range.
 
Tom Horvat led RPI with 17 points and two assists.
 
Skidmore never trailed, hitting five of its first six shots to take an 11-4 lead, capped by a steal and slam by Meren. The Thoroughbreds extended the lead to 16, 35-19 before Horvat hit a clutch three to get it back to 13, 35-22 with 3:04 left. Skidmore responded with a 7-0 run to close out the half with a 42-22 lead.
 
After shooting a lofty 64.3 in the first half, the Thoroughbreds hit their first five shots of the second half to go up 53-30. The Engineers were able to cut it to 18, 53-35 on a deep three from Dom Black, but Skidmore put the game away with a 17-3 run.
 
The Thoroughbreds scored 20 points off 10 RPI turnovers and dominated the boards with a 32-20 advantage.
 
"I think tonight was one of those games where this group put it all together and showed what they are capable of," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke.  "It started with really good defense and transitioned to really good offense.
 
"It's an important time of the year and you want to be at your best, I think as a group we are moving in the right direction. The next test is to see if we can build on this and take this kind of execution and intensity  on the road."
 
Skidmore hits the road for its next four games, starting with a 7 p.m. game on Feb. 1 at Ithaca. The Engineers host Hobart on Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.