SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The Skidmore College men's basketball team saw a 14-point second-half lead dissolve, but got big plays down the stretch to beat Clarkson 77-76 in the Liberty League opener for both teams.
 
The Thoroughbreds are 5-1, while the Golden Knights are 0-5.
 
Tautvydas Kupstas led the Thoroughbreds with 25 points. Harrison Eichelberger compiled his first career double/double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Bobby Stratts came off the bench for a career-high 11 points and seven rebounds.
 
Chris Hulbert (29) and Ryan Miles-Ferguson (22) combined for 51 of Clarkson's 76 points.
 
Both teams struggled from the floor early with the Golden Knights taking their lone only lead of the game, 11-10 on a Hulbert three with 14:23 to play. The Thoroughbreds found their shooting touch, leading to a 21-4 run over the next 6:00 pull out to a 31-15 lead. Kupstas kicked off the run with a pair of threes and Eichelberger added six points. Skidmore took a 44-30 lead into the break when Stratts capped the half with an offensive rebound and put back as time ran out.
 
In the second half, Clarkson chipped away at the Thoroughbred lead, finally tying the game 73-73 on Blake Gearhart's bucket with 1:20 to play. Kupstas put Skidmore back on top 75-73 with :36 left and bumped the lead to 77-73 with a pair of free throws with 17.4 left. After an exchange of possessions, Hulbert had a three-point attempt swatted away by Ty Lamport with three seconds left. Hurlbut then hit an undefended three at the buzzer for the 77-76 final.

"Conference play man, nothing comes easy. I think this was a great experience for our guys," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke. "You have to find ways to win games like this and we did tonight. Clarkson presents problems with their ability to space you out. We did a good job in the first half with the defensive game plan but I felt like we lost our way a bit in the second and allowed them to find their rhythm. Goal is to get out with a W and we did that. 
 
"Winning this league requires you to win on back to back nights so we will need to bring it tomorrow. I am excited for the guys because it will be a completely different type of game with opportunities for different players to step up."

Skidmore scored 18 second chance points and had a 17-5 advantage in bench points.
 
The Thoroughbreds host St. Lawrence University on Saturday at 4 p.m. in a Stable Game.