UNION TOPS SAINTS, 79-67

Feb. 8: Despite four members of the Saints’ men’s basketball team posting numbers in the double-digits, St. Lawrence fell to conference opponent Union College on Friday night, 79-67 in the Viniar Athletic Center in Schenectady, NY.

 

St. Lawrence, now 12-8 overall and 7-2 in the Liberty League, remain in first place in conference standings heading into tomorrow’s contest with Skidmore College.

 

The first part of the game saw the visiting team grab an early six-point lead before Union was able to make it a one-possession game with 15:42 to go. The two teams saw four lead changes and just as many ties in the first 20 minutes before St. Lawrence was able to obtain an edge over the Dutchmen down the stretch to give themselves a 32-28 at the end of the half.

 

Despite St. Lawrence scoring first in the second period, Union was able to overcome the Saints’ advantage from the first and go on a 24-8 streak in the first 7:30, which included nearly four minutes without the Saints scoring. The Scarlet and Brown continued to fight, cutting what was once a 17-point lead to seven with 2:19 to go, but it wasn’t enough for St. Lawrence as Union’s 51-point second half lifted them past the Saints, 79-67.

 

Neither team shot particularly well, with the Dutchmen holding a slight 44-percent advantage over the Saints 43-percent. St. Lawrence outrebounded Union 40-35, but the visiting team also turned the ball over 20 times, the third highest this season, and the Dutchmen were able to use that to their advantage, scoring 19 points from them.

 

Leading the offense for the Saints was junior co-captain Tom Wopperer (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) who tallied 18 points and five rebounds. Classmate and co-captain Richard Williams ( Kingston, NY/ Kingston) also tallied in the double-digits, posting 14 points and grabbing three rebounds. Senior Tyler Wright ( Teaneck, NJ/Paramus Catholic) and sophomore Andy Hoercher ( Auburn, NY/Hotchkiss) each scored 10 a piece.

 

The Saints will travel to Saratoga Springs, NY on Satruday afternoon for a contest against Skidmore. Earlier in the season, the Saints defeated the Thoroughbreds, 75-39. Tip-off is set for 4:00pm.