February 14 , 2005

Joe Virgilio averaged 20.5 ppg last week as the Statesmen climbed into first place in the Liberty League. (Photo by K. Colton /SportsPics.net)

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart junior guard Joe Virgilio (Wheatley/East Williston, N.Y.) was named the Liberty League Men’s Basketball Co-Guard of the Week by the conference office this afternoon. He led the Statesmen to a weekend sweep of Clarkson and St. Lawrence, averaging 20.5 ppg, 2.0 apg, and 2.0 spg.

In a 74-39 win over the Golden Knights, Virgilio scored 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the floor, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. A dominating team defensive effort, Hobart limited Clarkson to the lowest point total by a Statesmen opponent since dropping a 34-21 decision at Colgate on Feb. 25, 1970. The last time Hobart held a Division III opponent to so few points was Feb. 18, 1956, when the Statesmen upended Rensselaer 51-30.

On Saturday, Hobart scored a season-high 96 points in a 13-point win over the Saints. Virgilio exploded for a career-high 27 points on 9-of-10 shooting, including 7-of-8 from beyond the arc. His seven trifectas are the most by a Statesman since Tim Lomot ’03 canned seven at Rensselaer on Feb. 1, 2003.

For the weekend, Virgilio shot 68.4 percent from the floor (13-of-19), 76.9 percent from long distance (10-of-13), and 100 percent from the line (5-of-5). Through 21 games, he is averaging 9.1 ppg. Virgilio leads the team in free throw percentage (.822) and is second in three-point percentage (.430).

Hobart (13-8, 8-3 Liberty League) sits atop the conference standings entering the final week of the regular season. The Statesmen travel to Hamilton College (12-9, 7-4) on Feb. 15. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m., in Scott Field House.