NORTHFIELD, VT – Powered by a dominant second-half surge, the Skidmore College men's basketball team erased a 12-point deficit to clinch a hard-fought 67-61 comeback road victory over Norwich on Monday evening.

After trailing by as many as a dozen early in the second half, the Thoroughbreds (3–2) quickly flipped the script by knocking down six threes and holding the Cadets (2–5) to just 6-of-20 shooting the rest of the way, fueling a scorching 33–15 run to close out the game. Freshman Jacob Gooden kept Skidmore in the game with 15 first-half points, while the upperclassmen duo of junior Charlie Fantom and senior Charlie Weisberg sealed the win with a team-best 11 and eight points in the second half, respectively.

 "Really tough and together 2nd half for our guys. We were down a couple players tonight and we started slow. Credit Norwich, though, they were prepared and came out super aggressive on both ends," said head coach Joe Burke.

"We talked about quite a few things at halftime and the guys came out and adjusted. It was a total team effort and I am really proud of their execution.  Our depth benefited us tonight and we found a way to get it done.

"The guys are excited to start league play this weekend. It's a long season and we have a long way to go, but they know what they're capable of and that's what the non-league games are all about."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was all Norwich for much of the first half as the home team came out firing with six early three-pointers to place Skidmore in a 23-11 deficit with 8:45 remaining in the half.
• Gooden steadied the ship for the Thoroughbreds by scoring nine points to lead a 19-10 scoring run and pull the road team to within one possession, 33-30, with 1:54 to go.
• However, the Cadets closed out the half strong by hitting two more three-pointers to take a 39-31 lead into halftime.
• Coming out of intermission, the Thoroughbreds struck first with a Fantom three-pointer, before the Cadets strung together seven straight points to tie their biggest lead of the game at 46-34 with 16:15 on the clock.  
• With their back to the wall, Skidmore responded with a scorching-hot 15-2 scoring run that was capped off by a Fumani Sithole three-pointer to give the Thoroughbreds their first lead of the game, 49-48, at the 11:05 mark.
• With the match tied at 59 with 2:20 left, Skidmore rallied off eight straight points in a perfect closing stretch that was highlighted by a clutch Weisberg three-pointer to secure the victory.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Gooden continues his strong start as a Thoroughbred after tallying a game-high 22 points alongside six rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocks.
• Fantom added on 15 points to go with seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
• Weisberg scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds off the bench.

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds begin Liberty League play on Friday by hosting RIT at the Williamson Sports Center. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM.