Hobart basketball extended its win streak to six games with a 77-68 victory over Bard in the Liberty League opener for both teams on Friday night, forcing 24 turnovers and finishing with 20 steals, just one shy of the program record.
Photo via Peter Meshanic/D3 Photography
Junior Dorian Paki led the Statesmen with 15 points and five rebounds, one of three Hobart players to reach that rebounding mark. Sophomore Monty Nedd added 13 points and a team-high five assists, while junior Alex Moesch contributed 10 points and five boards, including three three-pointers. First-year Jackson Carey also chipped in six points and grabbed five rebounds.
Bard was paced by Angelos Bratakos and Seth Dyer with 11 points each, while Azikiwe Cuffy-Scott and Lucas Tovar added 10 points apiece. Jalen Umstead and Max Frei each pulled down eight rebounds, helping the Raptors to a 40-32 edge on the glass.
Hobart’s defense fueled its offense, generating a 16-2 scoring advantage off turnovers and a 22-2 edge in fast-break points. Ten Statesmen contributed to the 20 steals, led by senior Gabriel Bergeron and sophomore Allen Mordi with three each.
The Statesmen seized control midway through the first half with an 8-0 run, highlighted by Bergeron’s two 3-pointers, Nedd’s trey, and Paki’s pair of dunks. Hobart maintained momentum after the break, pushing the lead to as many as 19 before holding off a late Bard surge.
Hobart will conclude the conference weekend Saturday at Vassar, with tipoff scheduled for 4 p.m. in Poughkeepsie.
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].