February 10, 2006

TROY, N.Y.--The Hobart basketball team lost at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) 75-69 tonight in Liberty League action. Sophomore forward John Grazioli (St. Mary's/Melville, N.Y.) matched his career-high with 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting for the Statesmen.

Hobart (10-11, 6-5 Liberty) built a nine-point lead less than four minutes into the contest, but the pendulum of momentum swung back the other way before the end of the half. The Red Hawks (10-11, 8-3) used a 16-0 run midway through the opening frame to build a 12-point lead. The Statesmen chipped away at their deficit, scoring the final five points of the half, to head into the locker room trailing 42-40.

Senior guard Joe Virgilio (Wheatley/East Williston, N.Y.) scored 14 of his 22 points before the intermission. He finished the game 7-of-14 from the floor, including 5-of-11 from beyond the three-point arc.

Both teams torched the Robison Gym nets in the first half. Hobart shot 50 percent from the floor and 53.3 percent from beyond the arc. RPI knocked down 51.4 percent (2-5 3FGs).

After the break, Hobart took a 60-55 lead with 10:46 remaining on a Grazioli jumper, but the basket was a catalyst for a smothering defensive stand by the Red Hawks.

Rensselaer held Hobart scoreless for the next six minutes, while pouring in 14 to their benefit. The run gave the home team a 69-60 lead.

The Statesmen got within two with 1:21 remaining on a pair of Grazioli free throws, but Hobart would not record another point.

Tom Schneider posted game-highs in points (27) and rebounds (21) to pace the Red Hawks.

Junior forward Mike Mastro (Jericho/Westbury, N.Y.) pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds for the Statesmen, while Senior guard Colby Feane (Weedsport/Weedsport, N.Y.) added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Hobart is back in action on Feb. 11, when the Statesmen travel to Vassar. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.