Box Score CLINTON, N.Y.—Despite shooting better than 53 percent from the floor, the Hobart basketball team came up two points short in its Liberty League opener at Hamilton this afternoon. The host Continentals sank nine three pointers to eke out a 68-66 victory.

The Statesmen (6-5, 0-1) shot 53.2 percent from the floor, including 60.9 percent in the second half. Unfortunately, Hamilton (5-5, 1-0) kept pace, knocking down 49 percent from the floor for the game and making up the difference with a 9-for-15 (60%) showing from behind the three-point arc.

The game was every bit as close as the final score would suggest. The contest was tied 10 times and the lead changed hands 12 times. Hobart held the largest lead of the first half, just four points, on the way to a 29-27 advantage at the break.

The Statesmen also enjoyed the largest cushion of the second half. After the Continentals tied the score with the first bucket of the session, Hobart rattled off eight straight points to go up 37-29. Stefan Thompson and Mark Bruce did the heavy lifting during the surge, scoring four points apiece. Thompson netted a team-high 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 2-for-2 from long range, and 6-for-6 from the line, while Bruce also hit double figures, finishing with 14 points.

Undeterred, Hamilton countered with a 17-5 run to seize a 46-42 lead. Pat Sullivan recorded 10 of his game-high 24 points during seven-minute span.

With 4:44 to go, Bruce hit a pair of free throws to give the Statesmen their final lead, 56-55. Sullivan hit a three at the other end of the floor to put the home team back in front, but Bruce tied the game at 58-all just seconds after that.

Sullivan scored the game's next four points, but Hobart again fought back. This time Thompson scored four in a row to tied the game, 62-62, with 96 seconds remaining.

Nineteen seconds later, Ephraim McDowell tripled for the last of his 12 points. Thompson scored on a layup to make it a one-point game with 47 seconds to go, but Sullivan converted a layup with 17 seconds remaining to put the home team ahead by three.

The Statesmen got off a three-pointer, but it was off the mark and Sullivan collected the rebound. Hobart fouled him and he sank one of two, making Thompson's jumper at the buzzer meaningless.

Matt Pebole also reached double digits for the Statesmen, hitting 6-of-7 from the floor for 12 points. Joe Manns added 14 for Hamilton.

Sullivan collected a game-high nine rebounds to lead the Continentals to a 27-25 edge. Sean Peer led Hobart with five.

The Statesmen are back in action on Jan. 11, when they visit Potsdam. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Fans can listen to the Bears' webcast.