SCHENECTADY, NY – Led by 21 points from senior
Joe Mackey (Flushing, NY/ Archbishop Molloy) and a double-double from
Kyle Grimm (Sherrill, NY/ Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), the Union College men's basketball team cruised to a 94-54 win over Skidmore in Liberty League action at the Viniar Athletic Center Tuesday evening. Union received 45 points off the bench as
Joey Lokitis (Norton, MA/ Phillips Academy), Jim Clifford (New Hartford, NY/ New Hartford) and
Nick Ciresi (Kings Park, NY/ Kings Park) all had double-digit efforts in the Dutchmen's largest victory since a 93-52 win over Vassar last February.
Union (9-9, 6-2 Liberty) held the lead from the get-go, jumping out to a 9-0 lead within the first four minutes, capped by a three-pointer by Mackey, who shot a perfect seven-for-seven, including six three-pointers on the night. Mackey was also a perfect one-for-one at the line and added two defensive boards.
The Dutchmen then made a 22-11 run to extend their lead to 20 points midway through the first half before Bobby Langford (Worcester, MA/ Holy Name) sank a jumper to make the score 31-13 in favor of the home team.
Union closed the half on a 24-12 run, highlighted by 14 points in the half by Mackey, and held a 55-25 lead at halftime. Skidmore (2-16, 1-7 Liberty) was led by 11 first-half points from sophomore guard Matthew Belsito (New York, NY/ Collegiate School).
The teams played close in the opening of the second half, each netting nine points in the first 10 minutes before Union extended its lead to 71-34 with 12 minutes remaining. Skidmore fought back to within 31 with just over four minutes remaining and had eight second-half points from freshman Jon Douglas (Shutesbury, MA/ Amherst Regional), but Union's bench carried the Dutchmen through.
Union shot 58.8% in the first half and 54.8% overall from beyond the arc, while Skidmore struggled at 37.3% on the night. The Dutchmen held a 20-16 advantage in points in the paint, and capitalized with 12 points off of 11 Thoroughbreds turnovers.
Union is back in action on Friday, February 2 in an 8 p.m. Liberty League contest at Hobart.
