SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Posting the program's highest scoring output in more than a dozen seasons, the Skidmore College men's basketball team pulled away in a 101–94 shootout over Hobart at the Williamson Sports Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Thoroughbreds (9-9, 5-6 Liberty League) were led by freshman Jacob Gooden, junior Aidan Roy, and senior Joey Skoric, with the trio combining for 73 points to help Skidmore complete another second-half comeback, this time erupting for 53 second half points against the Statesmen (11-8, 5-7 Liberty League) and extending Hobart's losing streak to five games.

Winning consecutive conference games for the first time in two seasons, Skidmore delivered an electric shooting performance, connecting on 30-of-59 shots from the field (50.8%), knocking down 12-of-25 three-pointers (48.0%), and converting 29-of-35 attempts at the free-throw line (82.9%).

"We took a good step as a team this weekend. We needed to play well on back-to-back nights against good teams and protect our home court and we did that," said head coach Joe Burke.

"We were able to win a rock fight last night and then won what felt at times like an NBA game today. In both cases the guys made the adjustments they needed to make at half time and when it got tense, we hung in there.

"Overall, really pleased with what we accomplished this weekend. We needed it and got it done. On to the next challenge on the road against a very good Vassar team."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After facing an early 12-8 deficit, the Thoroughbreds responded with a 14-0 run, headlined by a pair of jumpers from junior Charlie Fantom, to lead 22-12 at the 14:12 mark.
• Hobart immediately answered back with an 11-0 spurt to retake the lead at 23-22 with 11:42 on the clock.
• Both teams traded baskets down the stretch of the first half before the Statesmen gradually built a nine-point lead, which Skidmore trimmed to five heading into halftime at 53–48. Roy scored 12 points during the stretch, including a pair of timely three-pointers in the final minutes to keep the game within reach.
• At intermission, Roy led the scoring efforts with 15 points, while Gooden was right behind him with 14 points of his own.
• In a near repeat of the previous day, the Thoroughbreds opened the second half with urgency, connecting on seven of their first 10 shots to fuel a 19–8 run and take a 67–61 lead with 15:00 remaining, as Gooden and Skoric combined for 17 points and freshman Will Wertz added two.
• With the lead in hand, the Thoroughbreds did not relinquish it the rest of the way, and when the Statesmen briefly pulled within two, Skidmore responded with a decisive 10–1 run—capped by a Skoric dunk off a Fantom assist—to take its first double-digit advantage at 87–76 with 4:25 remaining, a surge Hobart was unable to overcome.
• Skoric sparked Skidmore in the second half with 18 points as the Thoroughbreds poured in 53 points after the break, while also controlling the game at the free-throw line by converting 20-of-23 attempts to close out Hobart down the stretch.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Gooden led the team with 25 points to go with five assists.
• Roy scored 24 points and dished out five assists.
• Skoric put up 24 points to go with seven rebounds and three blocks.
• Fantom had an all-around showing, posting eight points to go with a team-best nine rebounds, five assists and two steals.

UP NEXT
Skidmore heads out on the road Tuesday to take on Vassar, in a matchup that was originally set to take place on December 10, but was postponed due to inclement weather. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM.