January 26, 2007

Mike Manning

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.—Hobart College senior guard Mike Manning scored a team-high 11 points to raise his career total to 1,001, becoming the 20th Hobart basketball player to join the 1,000-point club. However, the career milestone was bittersweet as host Vassar College posted a 66-49 Liberty League victory.

Manning reached the plateau with 5:48 remaining in the contest, grabbing a steal and then elevating over a Vassar defender to convert a tough fast break layup.

In the first half, the Brewers (12-4, 5-1) broke a 10-all tie with a 9-0 run keyed by five points from Jon Swartz. Hobart (6-11, 2-4) fought back to trim its deficit to three, 21-18, on a layup by senior forward Kevin Riley (Xavier/Brooklyn, N.Y.). Riley finished with 10 points.

Vassar staved off the threat, ending the half on an 11-3 run. The Brewers led 32-22 at the break.

Early in the second half, Riley's traditional three-point play pulled the Statesmen within seven, but Hobart would get no closer.

Vassar shot 41 percent from the floor, including 46.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc, and held a 48-27 rebounding advantage.

Statesmen senior guard Aasim Cunningham (Montclair Kimberley Academy/Montclair, N.J.) also scored 10 points.

Lawrence Avitabile produced 14 points, 16 rebounds, and six blocked shots for the Brewers, while teammate Tyson Brazell registered a game-high 16 points.

Hobart is back in action on Jan. 27, when the Statesmen travel to Rensselaer. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.