Adam Dudzinski's 22 points kept the St. Lawrence University men's basketball team close, but they were foiled by some clutch late-game playmaking by Skidmore leading to a 57-54 defeat in front of a large crowd at the Williamson Sports Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
 
The game marks the 13^th time this season where a Saints game is decided by fewer than 10 points, showcasing the parity of New York state basketball.
 
St. Lawrence's record now moves to 10-6 in the Liberty League, and 12-11 overall.
 
After Skidmore opened up the game with a 10-0 lead, the Saints clawed back into the game by outscoring the Thoroughbreds 28-16 over the next 14 minutes until a Dan Anderson triple vaulted the Saints into their first lead of the game just before the two-minute mark of the opening half. Adam Dudzinski had 12 of the Saints' points over that run, with the Saints shooting 7-9 from the arc. The score stood at 28-26 at the end of the first
 
The teams traded points for the duration of the second half, exchanging leads over the course of the half. The Thoroughbreds garnered some separation with Aidan Roy hitting a three with 8:02 to go up 45-40.
 
However, the Saints stuck around and made it interesting late. After Tommy McMahon made a free throw making it a one point game, Dudzinski got the ball in his hands off a missed Skidmore three and drained a hook shot from the key to give the Saints a 54-53 lead.
 
Roy then dropped in a layup to give the home side a one-point lead back, and Skidmore's Joey Skoric got a big block on Dan Anderson late to keep Skidmore's lead intact. Skoric went to the charity stripe twice late and drained two foul shots to cement the win for Skidmore on their senior day.
 
Dudzinski's 22 points and 11 rebounds topped the Saints' stat line, while Saints first-years also contributed. Aidan Phelan posted 11 points, while Tommy McMahon had nine rebounds. Both were good for second on the team in those categories behind Dudzinski. Phelan went 3-4 from the arc.
 
It will be St. Lawrence's turn for senior festivities next weekend, as they host both Rensselaer and Union beginning on Friday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m.