The St. Lawrence University men's basketball team defeated the Hobart Statesmen in 80-78 in overtime of the Liberty League semifinal game in a packed Burkman Gymnasium. They move on to host RPI on Sunday at 2 p.m.

All five starters finished in double figures, led by the Macaulays. Aidan Macaulay had a season-high 20 points, while grabbing nine rebounds, and Gavin Macaulay had 17 points. Trey Syroka, Trent Adamson, and Will Engelhardt each finished with a dozen points.

Syroka had three first-half steals, two of which came on Hobart's opening two possessions, to set the defensive tone.

The Statesmen went on a seven-point run late in the first half to lead by nine, but Adamson and Gavin Macaulay hit layups to close the half and the Saints trailed 31-26.

The hosts started the second half on a 7-2 run capped by an Adamson dunk to even the game at 33. St. Lawrence led for a majority of the second half, and by as many as six, but Hobart continued to fight back. With just over thirty second left, Adamson hit a put back layup to lead 66-64, but the Statesmen's point guard, Aidan Rodgers, evened the score on the other end, and the would-be game winner from the Saints did not fall.

Adamson won the tip and extended the opening possession by grabbing an offensive rebound. Syroka eventually got to the paint and connected on an acrobatic layup to take the early overtime lead.

The next bucket would not come for over two minutes, until Gavin Macaulay forced the turnover and hit the layup to lead by four. The Saints hit nine out of their next 10 free throws to protect their lead, and hung on to win 80-78 for their second overtime win against Hobart in February.


"The crowd tonight was the best we've seen in 10 years," said head coach Chris Downs. "We hope they will show up for one more game. We are excited to host, but realize how hard Sunday is going to be."

Jackson Meshanic had 20 points to lead the visitors, and Rodgers finished with 13. Patrick Walker and Andrew Lynch also had double digits.

St. Lawrence grabbed three more boards than Hobart and had one fewer turnover. In addition to Syroka's three steals, Gavin Macaulay had three and Aidan Macaulay had two.

The Statesmen finish their season 17-10, while the Saints improve to 18-7. With RPI upsetting top-seeded Ithaca, the Saints have earned home court advantage in the championship game on Sunday, February 26^th at 2 p.m.