Box score
CLINTON, NY -- Top seed Hamilton shot 62%, including 62% from three-point range, and had five players in double figures to defeat Union, 107-72 in the Liberty League Men's Basketball Tournament Championship Game at Scott Field House Saturday.
Tim Welchons scored 30 points for the Continentals (22-4), who received the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Union fell to 17-10 and will await a possible post-season bid. The ECAC tournament field will be announced on Monday.
John Cagianello (Wethersfield, CT/Wethersfield) led Union with 24 points and five rebounds, his 16th game with 20 or more points this season. Brian Scordato (Mt. Kisco, NY/Horace Greeley) scored 14 points with a team high six rebounds and five assists, and freshman Steve Madej (Burnt Hills, NY/Ballston Lake) scored 11 points. Chris Murphy (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY/Iona Prep) had six assists and two steals but was limited to 26 minutes due to three early fouls.
Tsakane Ngobeni scored 19 points and Phil Valenti had 17 points for Hamilton, while each led the way with six rebounds. Nick Jones (11) and Staunton Peck (10) also paced the Continentals. The Dutchmen shot 48% and 50% in three-pointers. The Continentals outrebounded the Dutchmen, 33-25. Although Union made 11 three-pointers in the game, the Continentals hit 19 and Welchons set a tournament record with eight successful threes. Hamilton led 54-38 at halftime and improved to 4-1 in championship games. Union, the defending league champion, is 2-2 in title games.
