GENEVA, N.Y.—Third-seeded Hobart College never trailed in its 83-61 win over sixth-seeded Vassar College in the first round of the Liberty League Men's Basketball Tournament this evening. Senior forward Jackson Meshanic led the Statesmen with his 16th double-double of the season on game-highs of 30 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Meshanic was in the zone early, posting 22 points in the first half. He finished the game 10-of-16 shooting, 4-of-6 from 3-point range and 6-of-8 at the free throw line. Meshanic also handed out four assists. He was joined in double figures by senior guard Andrew Lynch and sophomore guard Carter Meshanic, who recorded 12 points apiece. Lynch, who totaled 10 3-pointers across two games last weekend, continued his hot shooting, making 4-of-8 from beyond the arc against the Brewers. Carter Meshanic was 5-of-8 shooting with a 3-pointer while also contributing seven rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.
 
Luke Adams gave Vassar a team-high 18 points off the bench, while Jack Rothenberg and Avni Mustafaj added 15 and 11 points, respectively.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Hobart won the jump ball and scored on a Jackson Meshanic hook shot in the paint to open the game's scoring.
• Rothenberg converted a driving layup at the other end of the floor to forge the only tie of the game.
• Over the next four minutes, the Statesmen outscored the visitors 12-1, including more nine points from Jackson Meshanic, who capped the run with a 3-pointer.
• Mustafaj halted a five minute span without a Brewer basket by making a turnaround jumper, but it did little to slow the Statesmen.
• Hobart used a 19-7 run to balloon its lead to 33-12 with four minutes remaining in the half. The Meshanic brothers, Jackson (8), Carter (6) and Hunter (3) accounted for all but two points during the Statesmen surge.
• Hobart went into the locker room at halftime with a 38-21 lead.
• The Statesmen kept their foot on the gas in the second half and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the final 20 minutes.

 
KEY STATS

• Hobart shot 50% from the floor in the first half and improved to 55.6% shooting in the second half for a 52.6% success rate overall.
• The Statesmen made a season-high 11 3-pointers, shooting 47.8% from deep.
• Hobart committed a season-low four turnovers, including only one in the second half.
• The Statesmen outrebounded the Brewers 37-27.

AND I QUOTE
 

SEMIFINAL SHOWDOWN

• Hobart will head to the North Country to face second-seeded St. Lawrence in the Liberty League Tournament semifinals. The Statesmen and Saints will square off at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24.
• Hobart and St. Lawrence split their regular season series with each team winning on its home floor.