February 3, 2006

Colby Feane produced his first double- double of the season against Union. (Photo by Kevin Colton)

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart basketball team defeated visiting Union College 78-70 in a Liberty League contest this evening. The Statesmen took advantage of a late meltdown by the Dutchmen to parlay a one-point lead into a nine-point advantage and move into a fourth place tie in the conference.

It was a back and forth contest, as the lead changed hands 12 times and the contest was tied 10 times. With Hobart clinging to a 64-63 lead at the 3:05 mark, Union senior Chris Murphy (Iona Prep/Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.) fouled Statesmen sophomore John Grazioli (St. Anthony’s/Melville, N.Y.) and compounded matters by earning a technical foul, his fifth foul of the game. Four straight free throws later, two by Grazioli and two by senior Colby Feane (Weedsport/Weedsport, N.Y.), Hobart grabbed a five-point lead, sparking a 9-0 run.

After senior John Cagianello (Wethersfield/Wethersfield, N.Y.) missed a three at the other end of the floor—Union’s leading scorer managed just seven points and was harassed into a 3-for-16 shooting performance—the Statesmen maintained possession for nearly 90 seconds. Hobart grabbed five offensive rebounds during the span.

The Statesmen made 9-of-12 from the charity stripe in the final 70 seconds to secure the victory.

Hobart (9-10, 5-4 Liberty) was led by the 18-point effort of senior Joe Virgilio (Wheatley/East Williston, N.Y.), while junior Mike Manning (Center Moriches/Mastic, N.Y.) and Grazioli contributed 15 points each. Feane pitched in with his first double-double of the season, 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Union (12-8, 5-4) got 16 points and nine rebounds, both team-highs from senior Brian Scordato (Horace Greeley/Mt. Kisco, N.Y.). Junior Joseph Mackey (Archbishop Malloy/Flushing, N.Y.) and first-year Steve Madej (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake/Burnt Hills, N.Y.) added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Hobart dominated the glass, holding a 42-30 rebounding advantage. The Statesmen pulled down a season-high 19 offensive rebounds, converting them into 17 second chance points.

The Dutchmen spent little time inside the three-point arc on their offensive end of the floor, taking more shots from long range (36) than in close (21). Union sank 11 three-points and just 12 two-point field goals.

Hobart is back in action on Feb. 4, when the Statesmen host Skidmore (4-15, 1-8). The Thoroughbreds lost at Hamilton, 104-72, this evening.