BIG COMEBACK IN SECOND GIVES SAINTS

81-67 WIN OVER SKIDMORE

Feb. 9: The St. Lawrence University men’s basketball team shot nearly 70 percent from the floor in the second half to help overcome an eight-point deficit at the half and defeat Skidmore College 81-67 in Liberty League action Saturday at the Sports and Recreation Center in Saratoga Springs, NY.

 

St. Lawrence improves to 13-8 overall and 8-2 in the conference, maintaining their top spot in Liberty League standings, while Skidmore falls to 6-15 overall and 1-9 in the league.

 

The Saints got out in front of the Thoroughbreds early in the contest but were unable to stop the Thoroughbreds from shooting 53 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, helping them gain as much as a 13 point lead, 43-30, with 45 seconds left on the clock. St. Lawrence was able to cut that lead down in the final moments after junior co-captain Tom Wopperer (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) made two from the line and senior Tyler Shaver (Ogdensburg, NY/Ogdensburg Free Academy) made a shot from behind the arc to boost the Saints heading into halftime, despite trailing 43-35.

 

An energetic Saints squad came back onto the court in the second and continued to build upon what they had started at the end of the first. St. Lawrence was able to stop Skidmore’s offensive game completely and go on a critical 21-0 run, where senior Tyler Wright (Teaneck, NJ/Paramus Catholic) scored eight of the first 16 points in the first 5:39 of the period to give the Saints a 51-43 lead.

 

The Scarlet and Brown increased their lead to double digits only minutes later to help ensure their eventual 81-67 victory for the Saints, as they split the weekend on the road.

 

Sophomore Andy Hoercher (Auburn, NY/Hotchkiss) led the Saints with 16 points, eight assists, and three steals. Wright tallied 14 points and grabbed six rebounds and six assists, while Wopperer and sophomore Josh Sharlow (Norwood, NY/Norwood-Norfolk) added 10 each.

 

St. Lawrence will host Hobart next Friday night in Burkman Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00pm.