Box Score CLINTON, N.Y.—The Hobart College basketball team fell just short to Hamilton tonight, 77-76 at Scott Field House. The Statesmen slip to 8-15 overall and 5-7 in the Liberty League, while the Continentals improve to 16-6 on the season and 10-2 in the conference.

Hobart sophomore guard Rob Estep (West York/York, Pa.) led all scorers with 25 points, four assists and three rebounds. Sophomore guard Tim Llewellyn (West York/York, Pa.) notched 14 points, including a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the three-point line. He also picked up three steals, breaking the Hobart record for steals in a season by one (69) along the way. Llewellyn also recorded three helpers and three boards. Sophomore guard Mark Bruce (Fairport/Fairport, N.Y.) added 13 points, four rebounds, and two steals.

Jay Simpson led Hamilton with 19 points, including five three-pointers, while Patrick Sullivan netted 16 points and grabbed six rebounds. Ephraim McDowell added 15 points for the Continentals.

After first half that featured 12 lead changes and five ties, Hamilton owned a five-point lead at halftime, 43-38. The Continentals continued to build their lead early in the second half, gaining a 51-39 advantage with the help of two Simpson three-pointers. Hamilton held its largest lead of the game, 59-45, with just over 13 minutes remaining.

The Statesmen took off on a 19-4 scoring run over the next several minutes, and grabbed their first lead of the second half, 64-63, following two made free throws by Estep with 6:41 to play. Estep was responsible for five points during the frenzy, also converting a traditional three-point play. First-year guard Greg Stern (Jamesville-Dewitt/Jamesville, N.Y.) and first-year forward Matt Pebole (Red Bank/Little Silver, N.J.) added five and four points, respectively, during the run.

Hobart increased its lead to 68-65, after a good jumper from first-year forward Marc Bertucci (Fairport/Fairport, N.Y.) with 4:10 on the clock, and held a two-point advantage 73-71 with 2:05 to play thanks to another bucket by Estep.

Continental Kyle Dumas hit a three-pointer with 1:40 remaining to reclaim the lead, 74-73, marking the final lead change.

With the Continentals leading 77-75, the Statesmen had one last opportunity to tie the game and force overtime. The visitors drew a foul with one second remaining, but would only convert one free throw.

Hobart will be back in action Feb. 20, when the Statesmen travel to Union for a pivotal Liberty League contest at 8 p.m. Hobart and Union are currently tied for fourth place in the league standings. The top four teams advance to the Liberty League Tournament.