SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College men's basketball team delivered its second comeback of the weekend, at one point trailing by 18, to beat Union 70-67 and sweep the Liberty League home weekend.
 
Skidmore improves to 9-6 overall and 5-4 in the Liberty League with its third conference victory of the week. Meanwhile, Union falls to 7-9 and 4-6.
 
"Back-to-back nights we figured out how to get the 'W' and there is something to be said for that." Skidmore coach Joe Burke said.  "I thought Union completely out played us in the first half and had the energy you need to win on back-to-back nights. We once again were able to flip the script late in the first half and for most of the second half." 
 
Greg Skoric (20 points, 14 rebounds) and Ty Lamport (13 points, 11 rebounds) both had double-doubles to lead the Thoroughbreds. Riley Greene racked up eight assists, eight points, and six boards. Tautvydas Kupstas scored 11 and added three assists. Mark Engel finished with three steals off the bench.
 
Mike Manley pushed the pace for the Dutchmen and finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. Sean Regis dropped 15 points, and Chris Lovisolo had 11. Justin Regis dished out six assists.
 
Union was dominant early, beefing its lead up to 27-9 at the 11:23 mark of the contest. Skidmore stormed back, scoring the next 13 points highlighted by a rare 5-point sequence, to trail by five. Harrison Eichelberger drilled a 3-pointer while Kupstas was being fouled. Kupstas made both of his free throws to complete the swing. The Dutchmen ended the first half ahead by 10.   
 
Bobby Stratts had back-to-back layups to bring Skidmore from four points down to even at 52 near the midway point of the second half. Behind by one with 7:19 left, Kupstas hit a long 2-pointer to put the Thoroughbreds in the lead for the first time all game. Skidmore clenched onto the lead for good but was never ahead by more than five down the stretch.
 
Justin Regis threatened a Union comeback with a 3-pointer to make it 68-67 with 26 seconds left. The Dutchmen took one crack at the lead and another at the tie with less than 10 seconds left but couldn't make either attempt go down. Kupstas made 1-of-2 free throws to make it 70-67 after pulling down the key rebound. He then sealed it with a steal in the last second on the Union in-bound.
 
"We just have to keep pushing through this," Burke said. "We shot the ball so bad this weekend (and that's putting it kindly) and yet were able to pull wins out. So much has to do with our conditioning, but it also speaks to how good this group can be if we can put it all together."
 
Skidmore will return home on Tuesday, Feb. 1 to host Hobart.