GENEVA, N.Y.—All five Hobart College starters reached double digits in the scoring column as the Statesmen opened the 2015-16 basketball season with a 77-61 win over Keuka College in Bristol Gymnasium this afternoon.
 
Junior Pete Drescher led Hobart with 17 points, adding six rebounds and a game-high five steals. Sophomore Luke Ruddy notched his first collegiate double-double on 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. First-year Jamal Lucas contributed 16 points, six rebounds, and a game-high three blocked shots. First-year Colin Dougherty and junior Zach Grattan chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
 
The Statesmen, who struggled from the floor in the first half, torched the nets in the second half, knocking down 59 percent from the floor, including 4-of-10 from behind the arc. Hobart shot 68 percent from the free throw line for the game.
 
Hobart (1-0) broke open a close game with a 17-2 run early in the second half. The Statesmen led 27-25 at halftime and were still clinging to a 2-point advantage four minutes into the second half. Then a layup by first-year Matt Walsh was followed by back-to-back 3-pointers from classmate Sean McKinless and Lucas, stretching the home team's advantage to 10.
 
Keuka first-year Jelani Fontanez interrupted the run with a jumper, but Hobart scored the game's next nine points to build a 48-31 lead by the midpoint of the second half. The Wolfpack (0-1) got within 12 four times down the stretch, but could not get any closer.
 
Keuka got a game-high 20 points from senior Casey Williams. First-year Trevor Powell scored 13 points off the bench and sophomore Greg Tyler recorded 10 points. Sophomore Cliff Stevens grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
 
Keuka shot just 30 percent for the game, improving from 26 percent in the first half to 36 percent after the break. The Wolfpack was just 1-of-11 from 3-point range. Keuka shot 70 percent from the line.
 
The first half was an offensive struggle for both sides. Combined, there were just two made field goals in the first five minutes and neither side led by more than five before halftime. Hobart ended the first 20 minutes on a 9-6 run to carry a two-point edge into the break.
 
Hobart will be back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 17, when the Statesmen host the University of Rochester. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Keuka's next game is against Hamilton on Nov. 20 at RIT.