ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, NY – In a grueling defensive battle, the Skidmore College men's basketball team came up just short in a 57-47 defeat to Bard on Saturday afternoon to round up a competitive road trip.

The Thoroughbreds (5-16, 1-13 Liberty League) showcased their defensive intensity after recording four blocks and seven steals as a team while also forcing 16 turnovers and a mere 19-of-55 shooting from the Raptors (11-10, 6-8 Liberty League), but failed to knock down enough shots on the other end of the court against an equally-stout defensive performance by Bard.

"That was one of the best defensive weekends we have had in the last 2 seasons. Unfortunately, we just didn't make shots or create opportunities at the foul line on the offensive end," said head coach Joe Burke. "The positive takeaway is that I believe we have figured out how hard you have to play defensively. The downside is we are not use to playing that hard so this weekend it directly affected our offense. We have to continue to get stronger and in elite shape."
 
"This is hard on everyone right now. The staff, players, alumni and our fans. We expect to win championships and we will again soon. This isn't my first rodeo and I know exactly where we are at," Burke continued. "The process can be grueling at times but I now know who is able to get us to compete at a championship level again. I am not here to be middle of the pack, everything we do is to ultimately have a team that competes and wins in the NCAA tournament."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first half was a low-scoring affair as both squads failed to crack double-digit scoring after the first seven-minutes of game action, with Bard holding a narrow 8-7 advantage.
• Soon after, however, the Raptors finally strung together shots by going on a quick 10-0 scoring spurt to take an 18-7 lead at the 10:19 mark.
• Despite Bard holding onto a double-digit advantage for nearly the remainder of the first half, consecutive three-pointers from junior Charlie Weisberg in the closing minute helped Skidmore enter halftime facing a manageable 32-27 deficit.
• The Thoroughbreds turned up the defensive intensity in the second half by holding the Raptors to an abysmal 7-of-24 shooting from the field in addition to forcing ten turnovers.
• The performance allowed Skidmore to pull within a lone possession, or tie things up, multiple times during the first ten minutes of the half.
• However, when down by just 46-41 with 10:01 left, the Thoroughbreds were unable to complete the comeback bid and take the lead as both teams went on an extensive four-minute scoring drought that stretched to the 6:06 mark of the game.
• Bard closed the game out strong by re-extending the lead to double digits in the final minutes to clinch the victory.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Sophmore Aidan Roy led the way with a team-high 11 points to go with six rebounds and four assists.
• Senior Alexei Downie finished his afternoon with a game-high 12 rebounds to go with six points, two blocks and a steal.
• Junior Joey Skoric recorded nine points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals.

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds are back on the road next Friday to take on Hobart in a 7:30 PM clash.