Box score

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart basketball team defeated visiting Union 78-70 in a Liberty League contest Friday. The Statesmen moved into a fourth place tie with the Dutchmen in the conference.

Union (12-8, 5-4) got 16 points and nine rebounds, both team-highs from senior Brian Scordato (Horace Greeley/Mt. Kisco, N.Y.). Junior Joseph Mackey (Archbishop Malloy/Flushing, N.Y.) and first-year Steve Madej (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake/Burnt Hills, N.Y.) added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

It was a back and forth contest, as the lead changed hands 12 times and the gamewas tied 10 times. With Hobart clinging to a 64-63 lead at the 3:05 mark, Union senior Chris Murphy (Iona Prep/Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.) fouled Statesmen sophomore John Grazioli, his fifth foul of the game and a technical foul. Four straight free throws later, two by Grazioli and two by senior Colby Feane, Hobart grabbed a five-point lead, sparking a 9-0 run.

The Statesmen made 9-of-12 from the charity stripe in the final 70 seconds to secure the victory.

Hobart (9-10, 5-4 Liberty) was led by the 18 points from Joe Virgilio while junior Mike Manning and Grazioli contributed 15 points each. Feane had a game-high 13 rebounds. Hobart had a 42-30 rebounding advantage.

Union plays Saturday at Hamilton at 4 p.m.