More than 33 years in the making: Hobart wins at Hamilton

CLINTON, N.Y.—A Clockwork Orange made its debut in movie theaters. UCLA won its fifth consecutive NCAA Basketball Championship. Milwaukee defeated the Baltimore Bullets for the NBA Championship. And none of the current crop of Hobart basketball players had been born.

The year was 1971. Dec. 10, 1971 to be exact.

That’s the last time the Statesmen had won at Hamilton (111-92). Until last night, that is.

Snapping a 33-year streak required a last second three-pointer in regulation and some sharp shooting from the free-throw line in overtime, but Hobart finally emerged from Scott Field House with a 94-84 victory. Junior guard Colby Feane (Weedsport/Weedsport, N.Y.) and sophomore guard Mike Manning (Center Moriches/Mastic, N.Y.) scored 22 points apiece to lead the Statesmen.

Hobart made all 12 of its free throws, outscoring Hamilton 16-6 in OT. The score was tied at 80 with 4:16 remaining in the extra session, when Hobart scored 10 of the next 12 points to put the game out of reach.

Hobart led by as many as eight in the second half—the largest lead enjoyed by either team—but found itself trailing by three, 78-75, with 25 seconds remaining in regulation. The Statesmen missed a jumper with 12 ticks left and had to foul Hamilton first-year George Chaveishvilli, who collected the carom.

Chaveishvilli missed the front end of the one-and-one and Hobart got the rebound, setting the stage for sophomore forward Mike Mastro (Jericho/Westbury, N.Y.), who nailed a wide-open three-point shot to tie the score at 78 with 3.1 seconds remaining in regulation. The Continentals managed a desperation heave at the buzzer, but the long range attempt didn’t come close to finding its intended mark.

Feane also handed out seven assists and made four steals, while Manning contributed nine rebounds. Senior forward Joe Flacke (Schenectady/Schenectady, N.Y.) added 16 points and three blocked shots, while junior guard Joe Virgilio (Wheatley/East Williston, N.Y.) and Mastro both chipped in 12 points.

Hobart made 53 percent (18-34) of its field goals in the first half en route to a 44-40 lead at the break.

Senior Tim Welchons led the Continentals (12-10, 7-5) with 20 points.

The win gave Hobart (14-8, 9-3 Liberty) a full game lead over Skidmore in the conference standings. The Statesmen will host Rensselaer in another league game on Feb. 18, at 8 p.m.

The Hamilton College Sports Information Office contributed to this report.