SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Junior Aidan Roy hit the go-ahead dagger with 38 seconds to go as the Skidmore College men's basketball team officially clinched a Liberty League playoff spot after beating St. Lawrence, 57-54, in the Big Green Scream at the Williamson Sports Center on Saturday afternoon.

Clinching a playoff spot for the first time since 2023, the Thoroughbreds (12-11, 8-8 Liberty League) showcased their toughness and hustle by outrebounding the Saints (12-11, 10-6 Liberty League), 50-40, and outscoring them 28-10 in the paint — overcoming a game in which neither team shot efficiently from the field or the free-throw line.

Prior to the game, the program honored members of the Class of 2026 — Alexander Nunn, Joey Skoric, and Charlie Weisberg — along with head manager Alec Burke during Senior Day festivities.

"Heck of a weekend for our guys and really happy for our seniors. That certainly wasn't the cleanest game we have played but I thought we played really tough in the second half and the guys know how important that is to me," said head coach Joe Burke.

"I want to say thank you to the Skidmore administration and our great fans. That was a terrific atmosphere, our seniors deserved it and will never forget it. We are excited about the momentum we have and look forward to taking it on the road next week. We are finding ways and that is important in February."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Skidmore pitched a shutout through the first five minutes of the half, leading 10-0 with 14:58 on the clock before the Saints finally got on the boards with a free throw.
• It was all St. Lawrence the rest of the half, as the Saints responded with a 28-16 run to take a two-point lead, 28-26, into halftime.  
• At halftime, Roy led Skidmore with seven points and Skoric added six, while the Thoroughbreds held the Saints to 9-of-27 shooting. However, a red-hot 7-of-14 shooting from three guided St. Lawrence's drastic turnaround.
• Coming out of the break, Skidmore quickly retook the lead and used a 23-14 run to build a 49-42 advantage with 6:30 remaining.
• St. Lawrence used a 10-4 run in the closing minutes to pull within one before a hook shot from Adam Dudzinski — who finished with a game-high 22 points — gave the Saints their first lead in 14 minutes, 54-53, with 57 seconds remaining.
• Roy responded on the following possession by knocking down the go-ahead bucket on a floater from just outside the paint to help Skidmore retake the lead at 55-54 with 38 seconds left in the game.
• The Thoroughbreds recorded a key defensive stop on the ensuing possession, then survived a frantic final sequence at the free-throw line. After junior Charlie Fantom and Skoric each split a pair of free throws and Skidmore secured multiple offensive rebounds, Roy was sent to the line with a 57-54 lead and a chance to ice the game with 15 seconds remaining.
• However, Roy missed the first attempt, giving St. Lawrence a chance to force overtime, but the Saints missed a game-tying jumper at the buzzer as Skidmore held on for the win.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Roy led the team with 17 points and five rebounds.
• Skoric recorded 13 points and 13 rebounds.
• Junior Jack LaGarde led the bench scoring with 12 points to go with four rebounds.
• Junior Nick Padilla tallied eight points, three assists with three rebounds.
• Fantom grabbed a career-best 12 rebounds to go with three steals and five points.

UP NEXT
Skidmore will travel out to Ithaca next Friday in a 7:30 PM matchup.