SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Skidmore College men's basketball team couldn't fend off a frantic game-swinging run late in the game against Regis that resulted in a 66-59 defeat in the home opener on Monday night.
Initially in the driver's seat for most of the second half, the Thoroughbreds (0-2) found themselves on the wrong side of a late 22-7 run in the final 7:30 of the game as the Pride (1-0) strung together timely shots and successful trips to the line to seal the game.
"It was a tough one because, once again, we did some good things for stretches. We just do not have the formula yet for closing out games," said head coach
Joe Burke. "Got to give credit to Regis, they have two forwards that are tough matchups and work really well together and we had a hard time controlling penetration late from their point guard."
Again, this is a huge learning curve for this group. We can't take minutes off, can't take plays off and you gotta be able to close games by defending and be able to get to the line late. We once again got beat at the foul line 33 to 12 and it's really difficult to win games that way."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The match began with a closely contested first half that saw both team's defenses step up to contain each other's offense, with the Thoroughbreds only shooting 32.1% compared to an even-more putrid 27.8% field goal percentage from the Pride.
- Sophomore Aidan Roy led the first half scoring with eight points on 4-of-7 shooting, and was aided by senior Alexei Downie's seven points to keep Skidmore within a mere 24-23 deficit to Regis at halftime.
- The offenses came alive in the second half as both teams strung together extensive scoring runs to seemingly push the other to the brink. The Pride was the first to go on a quick 8-0 burst that forced a line change from the Thoroughbreds, who went to an all-bench lineup in an attempt to shift back the momentum.
- The decision saw immediate success as Skidmore countered with a 10-3 run of their own, led by a pair of made shots and a steal from sophomore Ethan Madeiros to pull the Thoroughbreds within one point, 34-33.
- With the momentum back on the home team's side and the starters reinserted, the Thoroughbreds further extended the scoring run to a staggering 28-13 swing to pull ahead 52-44 with 7:30 left in the match. Sophomore Hakeem Daphnis led the scoring with 13 points in the stretch.
- However, the Pride responded back with a game-deciding 22-7 sprint to the finish line in the closing minutes of the game that ultimately decided the match.
STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS
- Daphnis led the team with 16 points to go with three rebounds and four made three-pointers.
- Roy recorded ten points to go alongside four assists and four boards.
- Sophomore Jack LaGarde brought down a team-high seven rebounds to go with a pair of blocks.
- Downie finished with eight points, five rebounds and three blocks.
- Senior Jake Walsh scored nine points off the bench.
UP NEXT
Skidmore is back at home on Friday to host Alfred State at 7 PM.
