Box Score  | Postgame Interviews

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart College gave new Head Coach Mike Neer a proper welcome back to college basketball tonight, breaking the school record for 3-point percentage in a game, as the Statesmen opened the season with a 92-67 victory over Ithaca College in Bristol Gym. Hobart hit 72.2 percent (13-of-18) from beyond the arc, surpassing the old record of .650 (13-of-20) set against St. Lawrence in 1999.

Senior guard Greg Stern led the way with a game and career-high 20 points, matching his career-high with six 3-pointer made on eight tries. Junior guard Stefan Thompson added 17 points and a game-high seven assists, while senior forward Matt Pebole put up 14 points and a game-high seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Joe Gibbons, a transfer from Rensselaer, netted 10 points in his Statesmen debut.

The Bombers (0-1) also had four players in double digits, led by Andrei Oztemel's and Frank Mitchell's twin 11-point efforts. Christian Jordan and Sean Rossi chipped in 10 points apiece.

Rossi opened the night's scoring with a 3-pointer, but Hobart (1-0) countered with 10 unanswered points to take a lead it wouldn't relinquish. Before the contest was four minutes old, the Statesmen had pushed their lead into double digits for good. Hobart was 9-of-10 from the floor in the first seven minutes, including a 4-for-4 showing with three 3s by Stern.

The Statesmen led by as many as 21 in the first half, carrying a 49-30 lead into the break. Hobart scorched the nets in the opening 20 minutes, connecting on 69.6 percent from the floor including 8-of-10 from 3-point range. The Statesmen were equally strong on the defensive end, limiting the Bombers to just 25.9 percent from the floor.

Hobart kept its lead between 17 and 35 points throughout the second half.

The Statesmen's 63 percent field goal shooting represents the second best shooting night in program history. Hobart shot .667 at Hamilton in 2007. The Statesmen also finished the night plus-18 in rebounding margin (40-22).

The Statesmen will be back in action at noon on Saturday, Nov. 19, when they visit Cazenovia. Ithaca will play its next game on the road as well, visiting Oswego State on Friday, Nov. 18.