February 17, 2006

John Grazioli

Joe Virgilio

POTSDAM, N.Y.—A pair of free throws by Hobart’s Joe Virgilio (Wheatley/East Williston, N.Y.) with five seconds remaining proved to be too much for Clarkson to overcome as the Statesmen held on for a narrow 66-62 Liberty League victory at Alumni Gymnasium tonight.

The two teams traded baskets for the first portion of the half, but Hobart (12-11, 8-5) was able to ease away with 8:20 remaining in the half, 22-13. However, Clarkson (5-19, 2-11) climbed back into the game with a 9-1 run over the next three minutes to cut the lead to one point. Hobart used a late run in the half to push their lead to 30-26 at the half.

The Golden Knights dominated on the boards, 21-11, but Hobart turned the ball over only three times to make the most of its possessions.

Hobart led by as many as seven points in the second half, including 39-32 with 14:05 remaining. However, the Knights took their first lead of the game 40-39 just a few minutes later when Russ Vitallo was able to convert one of two free throws. The Statesmen didn’t panic and were able to regain their seven-point advantage, but some timely free throw shooting saw the Knights cut the lead down to a single possession with less than three minutes to go. A free throw from Colby Feane (Weedsport/Weedsport, N.Y.) and a lay up in traffic by Virgilio gave Hobart a lead of four points with less than a minute remaining. After a three-pointer by EJ Harrison (Troy, N.Y.) cut the lead, the Statesmen were able to bury their free throws and hold on for the victory.

John Grazioli (St. Athony’s/Melville, N.Y.) finished with 16 points and six rebounds for Hobart, while Feane added 12 points. Mike Manning (Center Moriches/Mastic, N.Y.) came off the bench to add 10 points for the Statesmen.

Russ Vitallo finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds, both game-highs, for the Golden Knights. EJ Harrison and Brandon Rigg Reives (Elmont, N.Y.) each contributed 12 points for Clarkson.

The Knights enjoyed a healthy advantage on the glass, 39-26, but the Statesmen took care of the basketball (just eight turnovers) and made more free throws (22) than their hosts attempted (19).

The win, coupled with Union’s win over Vassar, leaves Hobart tied for fourth place in the conference standings with the Dutchmen. The top four teams make the Liberty League Tournament.

The Statesmen close out the regular season at 4 p.m. on Feb. 18, at St. Lawrence, while Union (15-9, 8-5) is at Rensselaer (11-12, 9-4).

The Clarkson Sports Information Office contributed to the release.