SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Skidmore College men's basketball team was edged by a clutch go-ahead basket with two seconds remaining, falling 69–68 to Western Connecticut State on Wednesday evening at the Williamson Sports Center.

Led by a game-high 27 points from freshman star Jacob Gooden, the Thoroughbreds (1-2) built a five-point lead with under two minutes remaining, seemingly push the Wolves (3-1) to the brink. However, WestConn stormed back with the final six points of the game, capped by Tayejon Lynch's go-ahead basket with two seconds left.

In a tough and physical defensive matchup, both teams combined for 50 free throws while combining for 18 steals and 12 blocks. Skidmore senior Joey Skoric led with five blocks, while Gooden chipped in with a team-high three steals. 

"Sometimes you can throw all the stats out the window and need to make big plays. West Conn makes the game chaotic; we needed to make one or two plays at the end to close it out, but unfortunately we didn't," said head coach Joe Burke. "Whether it was a rebound or foul shot, we just didn't make the play when it mattered most. Credit West Conn: when they needed the ball, they went and got it. We were not able to match their physicality at the end.

"We will get back to work. We didn't handle the success of Friday night well so there is a lot to learn from this."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In a back-and-forth first half of action, both teams traded buckets and kept the other in check before Skidmore closed out the half strong with a Charlie Fantom three-pointer followed by a Gooden layup in transition to give the Thoroughbreds a 38-36 halftime lead.
• At intermission, Gooden led all scorers with 17 first half points as the Thoroughbreds collectively shot 46.7 percent from the field.
• In the second half, the Thoroughbreds built the lead to as large as ten points, 57-47, at the 9:46 mark, before WestConn battled back to pull within one point, 62-61, with 4:33 to go.
• In the final two minutes, Gooden got to the line before knocking down two clutch free throws to put the Thoroughbreds up by two possessions, 68-63, with 1:47 on the clock.
• The Wolves responded by first getting to the line and splitting a pair to cut the lead down to four at the 1:37 mark, before making a huge layup with 53 seconds on the clock to make it 68-66.
• On the ensuing inbound, WestConn came up with a steal before getting sent to the foul line, but were only able to knock down the first foul shot before clanking the second to help Skidmore retain a one-point lead with 50 seconds left.
• Despite being immediately fouled on the rebound, the Thoroughbreds were unable to capitalize at the foul line, but earned a second opportunity on an offensive rebound from Fantom. However, the ensuing three-point shot that was blocked and rebounded by WestConn with just 25 seconds to go.
• The Wolves ran down the clock before firing a three-pointer with 11 seconds that clanked off, but Skidmore was unable to close out the possession as WestConn hustled for the offensive rebound before Lynch drained the game-winner with just two seconds on the clock.
• The Thoroughbreds had one final shot to win, but a turnaround jumper from Aidan Roy in the corner fell just short at the buzzer.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Gooden scored a game-best 27 points on an ultra-efficient 9-of-13 shooting
• Skoric tallied 12 points, eight rebounds and five blocks
• Fantom grabbed a team-high ten rebounds to go with three assists.

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds takes on Purchase College this Saturday in the road opener. The game is set for a 2 PM tipoff.