Box Score LANCASTER, Pa.—The Hobart College basketball team held on for a 70-67 victory over Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in the third place game of the Sponaugle New Year Tournament hosted by Franklin & Marshall College. The Statesmen rebounded from yesterday's one-point loss to win another nailbiter.

Senior forward Richie Bonney led four Hobart players in double figures. He sported game-highs of 23 points and 15 rebounds for his seventh consecutive double-double. Junior guard Trey Blanding made all six of his field goal attempts, recording 15 points and three assists. Senior guard Joe Gibbons chipped in 12 points and junior guard Connor Rehbaum added 10 points. Senior guard Andrew Hoy contributed seven points, five rebounds, a game-high five assists and a game-high four steals.

MCLA got 14 points from both Ramon Viches and Todd Hunt. Viches also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Paul Maurice added 12 points.

The final stat line was nearly identical for both teams with one exception, Hobart (6-3) enjoyed a 35-27 advantage on the glass, thanks in large part to Bonney's dominance. He had as many rebounds as the Trailblazers' top three rebounders combined.

Viches made a 3-pointer with just over six minutes remaining to give MCLA (2-9) its largest lead of the game, 61-53. Hobart scored 10 straight points to take the lead with 3:26 remaining. Bonney scored seven of the 10, including a traditional 3-point play, and Rehbaum accounted for the other three with a modern 3-point play.

On their next possession, the Trailblazers made the first of two free throw attempts to make it a 1-point game. At the other end of the floor, Blanding drove the lane and was roughed up by the defense. The play was whistled a flagrant foul, giving Hobart two free throws and the ball. Blanding was shaken up on the play and did not return. Hoy made both free throws for a 65-62 lead. Hobart misfired on its ensuing possession, but did run 20 seconds off the clock.

On the next two trips down the floor, Hunt recorded a total of three points to tie the game for the final time. With 84 seconds left, Hoy drained a 3-pointer and then came up with a steal to reclaim possession for the Statesmen. Ultimately, Hobart committed a shot clock violation, but only 28 seconds remained.

Five seconds later, the Trailblazers made two free throws to close the gap to 68-67. The Statesmen beat the full-court press across the timeline, forcing MCLA to foul. Gibbons made both freebies to restore the three-point lead. The Trailblazers got off a 3 ahead of the buzzer, but it missed right and Bonney secured the carom and the victory.

In the first half, Hobart had the upper hand early, building its largest lead, 15-6, just five minutes into the game. The Statesmen remained in the lead for most of the opening stanza. Bonney made a pair of free throws for a 31-28 lead, 2:57 before the break. MCLA scored the final seven points of the half to take a 35-31 lead into the locker room.

The game was Hobart's final tuneup before conference play. The Statesmen will hit the road for their Liberty League opener, visiting Rensselaer on Friday, Jan. 10. Tipoff in Troy, N.Y., is scheduled for 8 p.m.