SCHENECTADY, NY -- Sophomore guard Joe Manns (Fieldale, VA) scored 16 points and sophomore guard Jay Simpson (Fort Washington, MD) added 12 with six rebounds as Hamilton improved to 9-4 and 3-1 in the Liberty League with an 81-71 men's basketball triumph at Union's Viniar Athletic Center Friday night. The Dutchmen fell to 4-10 overall and 0-4 in the league.

Harlee Wood (Clinton, MD) had 12 points with six boards and Jon Ciriello (Wolcott, CT) had a team best eight rebounds for the Continentals, who shot 45% and forced 25 turnovers. All five of Union's starters scored in double figures.

Junior forward Drew Desmarais (St. James, NY) had a team high 17 points with seven rebounds and sophomore guard Joey Lokitis (Norton, MA) scored 14 points with six assists. Senior captain Kyle Grimm (Sherrill, NY) led the squad with nine rebounds and also added five assists and two blocks, while Nick DiMaggio (Croton-on-Hudson, NY) and Steve Madej (Burnt Hills, NY) each scored 10 points with four assists. Union shot 47% for the game and the teams each had 34 rebounds.

The Continentals led 37-32 at halftime. But after a DiMaggio layup made it a five point game with 18:56 left at 39-34, Hamilton went on a 10-0 run in the next 1:11. Simpson and Wood hit back-to-back three pointers during the streak. Union got as close as seven at 78-71 with 35 seconds remaining, but Manns hit two free throws with 21 seconds left to play for an 80-71 advantage.

Union entertains Hobart tomorrow at 4 p.m. while Hamilton plays at Skidmore at 4 p.m.

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