January 20, 2007

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—The Hobart basketball team saw its three-game winning streak come to and end this afternoon, as Union prevailed 85-72 in a Liberty League match up. The Statesmen slip to 6-10 overall, 2-3 in the conference, while Union improves to 7-8, 4-1.

Junior forward John Grazioli (St. Anthony's/Melville, N.Y.) posted game-highs in points (21), rebounds (12), and blocked shots (3). Senior guard Aasim Cunningham (Montclair Kimberley Academy/Montclair, N.J.) chipped in 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including a pair of threes, while senior guard Mike Manning (Center Moriches/Mastic, N.Y.) added 15 points, raising his career total to 990.

Five Dutchmen, led by Kyle Grimm's 20 points, posted double figures in the scoring column.

The two teams knocked down a combined 18 threes (10 by Union). Hobart shot 59.2 percent from the floor, the team's highest shooting percentage since hitting 59.6 percent against N.C. Wesleyan on Jan. 6, 2006. The Statesmen also held a 27-20 advantage in rebounds.

A wild contest that saw the lead change hands 13 times, the outcome hinged on turnovers. Hobart committed twice as many (26) as its host and the Dutchmen took advantage, turning those extra chances into 27 points (compared to 17 points off turnovers for the Statesmen).

Hobart seized its final lead of the game, 45-43, on a layup by Cunningham. Union responded with a 14-2 run that put the Dutchmen in front by 10. The Statesmen were able to whittle their deficit back down to four with 9:01 remaining, but Union was lights out from the line down the stretch, hitting all 10 of its free throw attempts.

The Statesmen are back in action on Jan. 26, when they travel to Vassar. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.