February 13, 2007

Mike Manning scored a career-high 29 points at Hamilton. (Photo by Kevin Colton)

CLINTON, N.Y.—The Hobart basketball team posted its third win in its past four outings, earning a dramatic 87-86 overtime victory against Liberty League rival Hamilton. Senior guard Mike Manning (Center Moriches/Mastic, N.Y.) scored a career-high 29 points to lead the Statesmen.

The Statesmen (9-14, 5-7) shot a school record 66.7 percent from the floor, including an impressive 70 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Junior John Grazioli (St. Anthony’s/Melville, N.Y.) added 28 points and a game-high seven rebounds, while senior guard Aasim Cunningham (Montclair Kimberley Academy/Montclair, N.J.) contributed eight points and a game-high eight assists.

Tsakani Ngobeni led five Hamilton (16-6, 9-3) players in double figures with 22 points.

Hobart was lights out in the first half, shooting 75 percent from the floor, while limiting Hamilton to just 38 percent. Behind 18 points by Grazioli, the Statesmen carried a 42-32 lead into the break.

After the intermission, the Continentals used a 13-2 run to forge a 47-all tie with 13:11 remaining in regulation. From that point on, neither team led by more than six points.

With Hamilton clinging to a 70-69 lead, senior forward Kevin Riley (Xavier/Brooklyn, N.Y.) drilled a three to put Hobart back in front with 37 seconds to go. Ngobeni tied the game 72-72 with a layup 11 seconds later. Both teams had a possession with a chance to win before the end of regulation, but the Statesmen turned the ball over and the Continentals missed a three.

The extra session was still tied with just 60 seconds remaining. Manning’s final layup of the night put Hobart in the lead for good 85-83. At the other end of the floor, Manning stole the ball from Ngobeni. Hamilton was forced to foul Grazioli, who made both free throws. The Continentals missed a pair of threes before Ngobeni notched the game’s final points as the buzzer sounded.

Hobart is back in action on Feb. 16, when the Statesmen host Rensselaer. Tipoff in Bristol Gym is scheduled for 8 p.m. Fans unable to make it to the game, can follow all of the action online by clicking on the live coverage link on the Hobart schedule page.