GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart basketball team extended its winning streak to three games with a 91-54 victory over Merchant Marine in the opening game of the Hobart Basketball Tournament tonight. The Statesmen had five players in double figures led by sophomore Monty Nedd.
Nedd was 6-of-10 from the floor with a pair of 3-pointers and 2-for-2 at the free throw line for a game-high 16 points. First-year Harrison Muntner added 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting and dished out a game-high six assists. He went 5-of-6 at the line. Senior Niko Lutz, junior Alex Moesch, and sophomore Allen Mordi each posted 11 points. Moesch and Mordi also shared team-high honors with eight rebounds apiece.
Aaron Braxton led Merchant Marine with nine points. Tim Barton and Mason Lavergne each finished with eight points. Barton blocked a game-high four shots. Aaron Zalescik chipped in seven points and a game-high nine rebounds.
FOR THE RECORD
- Hobart improved to 3-1 on the season.
- The Mariners slipped to 1-2.
KEY STATS
- The Statesmen shot .485 from the floor with a season-high 10 3-pointers.
- Hobart also shot a season-high 81% at the free throw line (17-21).
- The Statesmen also posted season-highs for rebounds (53), assists (20) and blocked shots (9).
- Hobart held Merchant Marine to 28.4% shooting, the Mariners lowest percent of the season.
TURNING POINT
- Over the first nine minutes, neither team led by more than two possessions.
- Senior Axel Traina broke a 15-all tie with a 3-pointer that kicked off a 9-0 run, part of an 18-5 run over the next seven minutes.
- Muntner had a team-high six points during the surge that gave the home team a 33-20 lead four minutes before halftime.
- The Statesmen carried a 38-24 lead into halftime.
- Hobart squashed any doubt about the final outcome with a 20-4 run to start the second half.
- Nedd led this charge, pouring in seven points.
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHUP
- The Statesmen advance to the championship game of their tournament for the second straight year.
- They will face Hamilton, a 92-56 winner over Fredonia in the other semifinal, Saturday at 5:15 p.m. in Bristol Gym.
- The Mariners and Blue Devils will tip off the consolation game at 3 p.m.
