GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College basketball team earned its 10th consecutive victory tonight, defeating Liberty League rival Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 77-69 in Bristol Gym. The Statesmen were led by junior Jamal Lucas' 21-point, six-rebound, four-steal performance.
 
Lucas was 9-of-15 shooting and 3-of-4 at the free throw line. Junior Colin Dougherty added 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Sophomore Tucker Lescoe chipped in 14 points. Hobart (16-3, 11-1) shot 47.5 percent from the floor with seven 3-pointers and went 14-of-17 at the line. The Statesmen also had a 39-29 rebounding advantage.
 
The Engineers (10-9, 5-7) were paced by juniors Andreas Kontopidis and Tom Horvat. Kontopidis scored 15 of his game-high 29 points in the first 10 minutes of the game, including RPI's first nine points of the contest. Horvat contributed 22 points. The duo was a combined 18-of-35 from the floor, while the rest of the Engineers were just 7-of-23.
 
Hobart emerged from a tightly contested first half that featured six lead changes and two ties with a 34-28 lead. Kontopidis led all scorers with 17 points at intermission, while Lucas led the Statesmen with 10.
 
By the midpoint of the second half, Hobart had built the largest lead for either side, taking a 48-39 lead on a layup by Dougherty. But about two minutes later, Horvat hit a triple that made it a 3-point game, 50-47.
 
With just over four minutes left, Dougherty dialed long distance for a 64-57 lead, but again RPI fought back. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Mitchel Wayand and Horvat closed the gap to just one, 66-65. The Hobart lead was still just one as the final minute approached, but first-year Dan Masino made a driving layup for a 70-67 lead.
 
After Wayand missed a 3-pointer, Lucas grabbed the rebound and then converted a traditional 3-point play for a 73-67 lead with 31 seconds to go. The Statesmen iced the victory by making all four of its free throw attempts down the stretch.
 
Hobart's 77 points are the second most allowed by RPI this season. (RIT scored 78 on Jan. 6.) The Engineers came into the game, leading the league in scoring defense (63.7 ppg).
 
Hobart will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 2, when they host St. Lawrence (5-13, 3-8). Tipoff in Bristol Gym is scheduled for 8 p.m.