Box Score GENEVA, N.Y.–Defense was a four letter word tonight in Bristol Gymnasium. The Hobart College basketball team scorched the nets to the tune of 58.5 percent from the floor and 47.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc to win its fourth consecutive game, 85-82, over visiting Skidmore College. Sophomore forward Davidek Herron (Schenectady/Schenectady, N.Y.) paced all five Hobart starters in double digits with 19 points.
The Statesmen (8-4, 3-0 in UCAA) led for most of the first half, and never trailed by more than three en route to a 45-42 halftime lead. Hobart needed every bit of its hot shooting to overcome the torrid shooting of the Thoroughbreds (5-8, 2-2). Skidmore connected on 18-of-30 first half shots on its way to a 51.6 shooting percentage for the game. The Thoroughbreds were led Brian Caulkin's 27-point performance, that included 16 in the first half.
After the break, Hobart led by as many as seven, but trailed 79-77 with 3:43 remaining. Junior forward Michael Gambino (Our Lady of Lourdes/Hyde Park, N.Y.) put the Statesmen back on top with his fourth 3-pointer of the game at the 2:52 mark. He finished with 16 points.
Skidmore evened the contest at 80-all, making the back end of a two-shot foul. Sophomore center Joe Corbett (Haverford School/Philadelphia, Pa.) put Hobart up for good with the first of two free throws at the 2:15 mark. Corbett posted his sixth consecutive double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The second shot from the charity stripe missed the mark, but Herron was there to tip it in for an 83-80 Hobart lead.
Herron enjoyed a tremendous evening, connecting on 6-of-10 from the floor, while making 7-of-10 from the free throw line. He also grabbed nine rebounds to go with two blocked shots and two steals. Senior guard Kevin Leonardo (Coxsackie-Athens/Coxsackie, N.Y.) sank a pair of free throws to extend the lead to five with 70 seconds remaining. He finished with 12 points and a game-high eight assists.
The Thoroughbreds closed to within three with 55 ticks remaining, but could get no closer.
The Statesmen will be back in action on Sat., Jan 20, when they host Union College. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
–HWS SPORTS–
