SCHENECTADY, NY -- Steve Madej scored 26 points and Drew Desmarais had a double double with 18 points and 10 rebounds along with seven assists for Union in an 84-73 Liberty League men's basketball game at the Viniar Athletic Center Friday night. The Dutchmen (13-10 overall) broke a tie with the Statesmen for fourth place and are 6-7 in the league while Hobart is 5-8 (8-16 overall). The top four teams qualify for next weekend's Liberty League tournament.

Joey Lokitis scored 14 points and Drew Goldstein added 12 with five assists and four steals for the Dutchmen, who had a 37-34 rebouding advantage. Union shot 56% for the night, including 70% in the second half when the hosts made 19 of 27 shots.

Rob Estep (York, PA) matched Madej with 26 points for Hobart. Tim Llewellyn scored 11 points with a game best six steals and four assists and Mark Bruce (Fairport, NY) added 10. The Statesmen shot 42% for the game.

Union led 28-24 at halftime, and Madej had three points heading to the lockerroom. But he made eight of 10 shots and hit four three pointers in helping the Dutchmen in the blistering second half. Hobart took a five point lead at 42-37 with 13:49 left in the second half on a three pointer by Llewellyn. But in the next 5:14, the Dutchmen went on a 18-0 run for a 55-42 lead with 8:34 left. Desmarais and Madej scored six points each during that key streak. Hobar got to within seven with 1:54 left (71-64), but Madej got fouled while making a three pointer and the four point play got Union up by 11 with 1:44 left. The Dutchmen never trailed by less then eight in the remaining time.

The Dutchmen can clinch fourth outright tomorrow with a victory against Hamilton at home (4 p.m.). Three teams stand one game back at 5-8, including Clarkson and Vassar along with Hobart. The Statesemen are at Skidmore Saturday at 4 p.m.

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