SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Hot second half shooting led the Skidmore College men's basketball team to its first win of the season at the Williamson Sports Center Monday night against SUNY Plattsburgh.
 
The 64-60 victory moves the Thoroughbreds to 1-3 while the Cardinals drop to 2-3 on the season.
 
Ty Lamport had an electric second half, hitting three straight from beyond the arc and coming up with a key steal late. He led the team with 14 points to go along with three steals. Ryan Murunge added a double-double, scoring 14 points and hauling in 11 rebounds.  Murunge also had four blocked shots and one steal. Tautvydas Kupstas made his presence known with an additional 13 points, while Greg Skoric helped protect the paint with nine rebounds.
 
Travis Cox had a complete game for the Cardinals, scoring 28 points, pulling down six rebounds, and recording five steals. Nick DeAngelis added another 14 points and four rebounds.
 
The first half ended with the Thoroughbreds clinging to a one point 32-31 lead. Despite the Cardinals shooting 57.7 percent from the floor. The Thoroughbreds scored 11 points off of 10 Cardinal turnovers.
 
Plattsburgh worked a 44-41 lead with 9:44 to play. Kupstas scored five quick points to start a 19-6 Skidmore run that that ended with a 60-50 lead with 3:34 to play. Lamport hit three straight threes and Kupstas added another three to give the pair 17 of the 19 points.
 
The Cardinals fought back. A three pointer by DeAngelis with 7.5 seconds pulled Plattsburgh to within three, 63-60, but the teams traded turnovers and Pat Gallagher hit a second chance free throw after a Cardinal lane violation with 3.0 seconds left to seal the 64-60 victory.
 
"I'm proud of the guys tonight," said head coach Joe Burke. "It was not always pretty, but I thought we dug in and in the end, we made enough plays to pull it out."
 
"This was two good teams that play physical basketball and both teams really competed," he continued. "This is how this team is going to have to win this year. Thanks again to all of our fans that showed up and we wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving."
 
The Thoroughbreds return to the Williamson Sports Center Dec. 6 for their first round of Liberty League action against the Statesmen of Hobart College at 7:30 pm.