TROY, N.Y.—The Hobart College basketball team shot 57 percent from the floor in the second half to post a 66-55 Liberty League win at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute tonight. Senior
Colin Dougherty and junior
Tucker Lescoe shared game-high honors with 17 points apiece.
Dougherty was a perfect 3-for-3 from 3-point range and made all four of his free throws. Lescoe was 5-of-10 from the floor and 6-for-6 at the line. The Statesmen (12-7, 9-3) made more than twice as many free throws (19) as the Engineers attempted (9). Junior
Edens Fleurizard added 10 points and seven rebounds. Hobart held a 35-33 rebounding edge led by sophomore
Jack Lesure's team-high eight boards.
Hobart shot 43 percent from the floor, 46 percent from 3-point range, and 83 percent at the free throw line. Rensselaer (10-9, 5-7) shot just 36 percent, 33 percent from deep and 78 percent at the line.
The Statesmen trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, but Hobart closed the opening 20 minutes on a 19-6 run to whittle the Engineers' advantage down to just one, 25-24. The rally started with eight straight points by the Statesmen, including a traditional 3-point play by Fleurizard. Lescoe and Dougherty closed out the first half scoring with back-to-back 3-pointers.
Hobart carried the momentum into the second half. Lescoe and senior
Jamal Lucas made consecutive buckets to push the Statesmen into the lead, 28-25. RPI forged ties at 28 and 30, but then Hobart scored six straight to take the lead for good. Lescoe made two at the line followed by a jumper from Dougherty and two more free throws by Fleurizard.
The Engineers got within one with under five minutes remaining, but the Statesmen used another 6-0 run to take a 57-50 lead with two minutes to go. Hobart iced the victory at the free throw line, making 7-of-8 in the final minute.
Patrick Mahoney paced RPI with 16 points. Mitchell Wayand had 11 points. Marcus Giese had nine rebounds and five assists.
Hobart will wrap up its five-game road trip with a swing through the North Country, visiting St. Lawrence (12-6, 9-2) on Friday, Feb. 1 and Clarkson (4-13, 3-7) on Saturday, Feb. 2.
