SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Skidmore College men's basketball team fired on all cylinders to roll past Bard in commanding fashion, 82-33, to secure a much-needed conference victory at the Williamson Sports Center on Friday evening.

The Thoroughbreds (7-8, 3-5 Liberty League) were led by a swarming defensive effort that forced 25 turnovers from the Raptors (1-15, 0-9 Liberty League) alongside a suffocating 12-of-57 shooting from the field, including just two made three-pointers.

Junior captain Aidan Roy posted a stellar all-around effort that included 14 points on four made three-pointers to go with five rebounds, five assists and five steals. Freshman Jacob Gooden led all scorers with 20 points to go with five assists of his own.

"Proud of the guys urgency tonight. I thought we came out with a sole purpose and that was to win the game. We played hard and aggressive," said head coach Joe Burke.
 
"I'd be lying if I didn't say we had an angry approach after our performance on Tuesday. It's a good win, we protected our home court and now we need to prepare for Union at home on Tuesday."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game opened with a competitive back-and-forth stretch in the opening minutes, with Bard evening the score at 7-7 apiece with 15:53 remaining.
• The tide quickly shifted in Skidmore's favor as the Thoroughbreds put together an extended 22–2 run over the next nine minutes to build a commanding 29–9 lead with 7:42 remaining, fueled by seven points from Gooden and five from Roy.
• Skidmore kept the foot on the gas by taking a 42-15 lead into halftime, fueled by a stellar defensive effort that forced 11 Bard first-half turnovers and limited the road team to just 5-of-27 shooting from the field.
• Offensively, the duo of Roy and Gooden combined for 21 first half points, while sophomore Will Ameden tacked on six to follow.
• It was more of the same in the second half as Skidmore limited the Raptors to a mere 18 points on a putrid 7-of-28 shooting and forced 14 more turnovers to wrap up the home rout.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Roy filled the stat sheet with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals.
• Gooden scored 20 points to go with five assists, two steals and two blocks.
• Senior Joey Skoric posted a near double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.
• Freshman Will Wertz had a game-best three blocks with seven points, seven rebounds and two steals.

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds host Union on Tuesday in a 7:30 PM tip-off.