ITHACA, N.Y.—The Hobart basketball team dug itself out of a 17-point deficit to take the lead with 3:30 left in its Liberty League contest at Ithaca tonight. Unfortunately for the Statesmen, the Bombers were able to reclaim the lead and held of Hobart for a 63-60 win in Light Gymnasium.
 
Senior Pat Healy and sophomore Alex Moesch each produced 14 points to lead the Statesmen. Healy also pulled down seven rebounds, dished out three assists and blocked a shot. Senior Aidan Rodgers added nine points, seven rebounds and a game-high five assists. First-year Allen Mordi grabbed a team-high nine rebounds to go with eight points.
 
Ithaca had three players in double figures led by Logan Wendell's game-high 19 points. He was 10-for-10 at the free throw line. Evan Cabral posted a double-double on 12 points and 11 rebounds. Jaylon O'Neal chipped in 11 points.
 
GAME STATS

• Hobart had a slim 38-37 advantage on the glass and committed six fewer turnovers.
• The Statesmen outscored the Bombers 20-7 in points off turnovers and had an 8-7 edge in second chance points.
• Hobart was undone at the free throw line, where the Statesmen connected on just 12-of-22 (54.5%).

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Cabral and Ithaca started the game on a hot streak. The sophomore scored nine of his 12 points in the opening six minutes as the home team built a 17-0 lead.
• The Statesmen finally got on the board when Rodgers slashed to the basket for a layup at the 12:24 mark, touching off a 9-0 run.
• Hobart kept chipping away at their deficit, scoring the final six points of the half to trim Ithaca's lead to 34-30.
• The Bombers stretched their lead to 10 three minutes into the second half, but the Statesmen again clawed their way back with a 12-4 run.
• Mordi's 3-pointer near the midpoint of the half capped the surge and cut IC's advantage to 47-45.
• Over the next six minutes, Hobart got within one three times, but didn't claim the lead until Healy made a short jumper for a 54-53 edge with 3:30 to go.
• A minute later, O'Neal's traditional three-point play put Ithaca back in front for good.
• Over the next 90 seconds, Hobart had three shots to tie the game or take the lead, but couldn't convert.
• O'Neal finally added to Ithaca's lead with a layup with 50 seconds to go.
• The Statesmen kept things interesting in the final minute, but their desperation heave from near midcourt at the buzzer was off the mark.

 
FOR THE RECORD

• Ithaca improved to 11-6 overall, 8-2 in the Liberty League.
• Hobart slipped to 12-6, 6-5 in conference play.

 
UP NEXT

• Hobart will play the second of four straight road games, Saturday, Feb. 1 at RIT (6-11, 2-8). The opening tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.