CANTON, N.Y.—The Skidmore College men's basketball team led from start to finish in a 67-55 win over St. Lawrence University a Liberty League semifinal Tuesday night.
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The Thoroughbreds (14-10) move on to play top seed Rensselaer in Troy Saturday at 2 p.m. Vassar will play Ithaca College in the other semifinal at 4:30 p.m. The winners play at RPI on Sunday. RPI will be allowing fully vaccinated and masked fans.
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Tautvydas Kupstas returned to the line-up to lead the Skidmore with 20 points, three assists, and five rebounds.
Harrison Eichelberger and
Greg Skoric scored 14 each. Skoric and 18 rebounds and four blocks for his 18
th double/double of the season.
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Gavin Macaulay led the Saints with 14 points.
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Skidmore opened the game with a 18-4 run on the way to a 33-13 lead at the half. The Thoroughbred defense held SLU to 5-of-34 (14.7%) shooting from the floor.
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Jack Walsh hit a three-point with 10:51 to play in the second half to give Skidmore its biggest lead, 52-27. The Saints whittled it to nine, 59-50 with 1:56 left, but Kupstas went 4-4 from the line and Eichelberger went 2-2 to secure the win.
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The win snaps a four-game SLU win streak over the Thoroughbreds.
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"I'm just happy for the guys," said Skidmore coach
Joe Burke. "They were so pumped to have the full team back for practice the last couple days.  I felt their energy, they really were excited to get out there and play together.
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"I thought they prepared really well on Sunday and Monday. They were really locked in on the game plan and went out and executed it against a good team that we always battle with. These guys are at the point where they are just thrilled to have everyone back. I think they will play anyone, anywhere, anytime.at this point.  RPI is a good basketball team but we really think it's about us. Looking forward to preparing for the weekend to try and be the best versions of ourselves."
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Skidmore will be playing for its sixth Liberty League title in the past 11 seasons.
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