Hobart Free Throws Hold Off Clarkson, 68-59

Potsdam, NY - After getting beaten by 36 points two weeks ago by Hobart College, the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team altered its gameplan against the Statesmen. Unfortunately, that plan didn't change the final results, as Hobart beat the Golden Knights 68-59 Friday night at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights fell to 11-11 and 3-8 in the Liberty League, pushing Clarkson officially out of the playof mix. Hobart cliinched a playoff spot, improving to 10-1 in conference action and 18-4 overall. Clarkson will play Hamilton at 2:00 pm on Saturday.

Clarkson slowed the pace of Friday night's game after Hobart ran up 50 points on the Knights in the first meeting of the two teams. The ploy worked in the first half, as the Statesmen finished the first 20 minutes up by just three points. Hobart led by as many as seven points on a few occasions, but Clarkson came back to tie the game at 27-27 with just over a minute to go. A 3-pointer from junior Matt Pebole in the final minute gave the Statesmen a three-point advantage at intermission as Clarkson's two attempts in the waning seconds fell short.

In the second half, Clarkson put pressure on the Statesmen by pulling to within one point (37-36) after a pair of free throws from Jonathan Hood (Cortlandt Manor, NY) with 14:14 remaining. Hobart responded with 9-0 run in the next three minutes by working the ball inside. That double-digit advantage would come and go over the final 11 minutes as the two teams traded mini-runs. Clarkson came back and cut the deficit to four points with 6:32 to go, but Hobart again responded with a quick 3-pointer to regain its solid advantage. Down the stretch Hobart was able to convert its free throw attempts, shooting 16-for-20 from the line in the second half, to hold on for the victory.

Hood finished with a double-double, scoring 15 points to go along with 12 rebounds. Junior Felix Llanos (Queens, NY) added in 13 points, but shot just 4-for-15 from the field. Leading the way for the Statemen, Stefan Thompson scored 15 points, shooting 9-for-9 from the free throw line, and Pebole added 14 points and seven rebounds. Adam Saltzmann tossed in 13 points for Hobart, as well.

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