GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart basketball team closed its final non-conference game of the season on an 11-0 run to defeat Utica 66-53 in Bristol Gym this afternoon. The Statesmen improved to 8-2 heading into a four-week break for final exams and the holidays. The Pioneers slipped to 6-2.
 
Hobart held the lead for over 37 minutes in the contest and only trailed for 14 seconds in the game. However, the Statesmen couldn't fully shake the visitors until the very end. The Statesmen went 4-of-6 from the floor, including a 3-pointer by senior Gabriel Bergeron, and made both of their free throws, while Utica missed its last six shots.
 
Sophomore Monty Nedd posted his first career double-double, leading Hobart with 20 points and 12 rebounds. He also posted game highs of six assists and five steals. Nedd was joined in double digits by junior Dorian Paki, who finished with 17 points and six rebounds. The duo combined to shoot 17-of-27 from the floor.
 
Utica's Jordan Cain recorded a game-high 24 points to go with six rebounds and five steals. Dayion Thompson added 15 points. Liam Teague and Keyaton Parks paced the Pioneers with eight rebounds apiece.
 
COACH'S CORNER
 
 
 
GAME RECAP
First Half – Hobart 34, Utica 27

• The Statesmen opened the game on an 8-0 run, but Utica responded with a 10-2 to tie the game at 10.
• Clinging to a 13-12 lead, Hobart pushed its lead into double digits with a 12-3 run that included a pair of 3-pointers from senior Axel Traina.
• Cain hit a trey to pull Utica within five near the six-minute mark, but the Statesmen answered with a 9-2 surge that included five points from Paki and pushed the home team's advantage to 12 points.
• Utica scored the final five points of the half to go into the break trailing by seven.

 
Second Half – Hobart 66, Utica 53

• The Pioneers kept the momentum early in the second half, using a 7-2 run to trim the Hobart lead to just two.
• The Statesmen kept the lead throughout the second half, but didn't push their advantage into double digits until the final two minutes.
• Hobart took a 52-43 lead on a 3-pointer by first-year Harrison Muntner just past the halfway point of the half.
• Over the next four minutes, Utica outscored Hobart 10-3 to make it a 55-53 game. Cain started the run with a 3-pointer followed by a layup.
• Nedd was central to Hobart's finishing run. He scored a pair of baskets and assisted on a Bergeron's 3-pointer and a Paki layup.
• Moesch wrapped up the day's scoring with a pair of makes at the free throw line.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 53 – The Statesmen limited the Pioneers to a season-low scoring total. It's the third opponent Hobart has held under 60 points this season.
• 12 – Hobart outrebounded Utica 52-40. It's the Statesmen's third largest rebounding margin this season and the Pioneers' biggest rebounding deficit of the year.
• 3 – 20-point games by Nedd this season, including back-to-back games this week.
• 36.2% - The Statesmen shot a season-low from the field, but held the Pioneers to their season-low 28.8%.

 
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR
Hobart returns to Liberty League play on Jan. 9 when Skidmore visits Bristol Gym.