February 14, 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart basketball team snapped a five-game slide and in the process handed Vassar its 14th consecutive Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association loss this afternoon in Bristol Gymnasium. Junior forward Joe Flacke (Schenectady/Schenectady, N.Y.) led four Statesmen in double figures with a game-high 20 points to propel Hobart to an 82-58 victory.

Midway through the first half, the Statesmen (8-14, 4-8 UCAA) broke a 15-all tie with a 13-3 run, including six points off the hand of Flacke. The spurt helped Hobart take a 33-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Vassar (4-18, 0-11) made its best effort to get back in the contest right after the intermission recording the first five points of the stanza, but the Statesmen responded with a dominating 17-4 run to push their lead into double digits for good. Flacke fueled that run as well with five points. He finished the game 7-of-9 from the floor and 6-of-9 from the line.

Hobart’s lone senior, guard Brad Strait (Fort Plain/Fort Plain, N.Y.), was honored before the game and put on a show during it. He finished with 19 points, including three three-pointers, a game-high five assists, and four steals.

First-year forward Billy Clarke (St. Mary’s/Manhasset, N.Y.) and sophomore forward Tim Apuzzo (Greely/Cumberland, Maine) added 16 and 14 points, respectively, in the winning effort.

The Statesmen turned in a strong defensive outing as well. Harassed by Hobart hands held high, the Brewers shot just 37.7 percent from the floor, including a paltry 11-of-32 in the second half. Thanks to 25 Vassar miscues, the Statesmen boasted a season-high turnover margin (+10), including 13 on steals.

Junior guard Jud Winton (University/San Francisco, Calif.) was the only Brewer to reach double digits with 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting.

The Statesmen play their final home game of the season on Feb. 17, when Hartwick College visits campus in a non-conference matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.