Historic weekend for Thoroughbred basketball fans

It was a historic weekend for Skidmore basketball, as the men’s and women’s teams were both crowned Liberty League champions in dramatic fashion. It was also a winning week for spring sports, as men’s and women’s lacrosse both came out on top in their season openers. Men’s tennis defeated Liberty League foe RIT, while women’s tennis had a strong showing at the ITA Indoor National Championships in Greencastle, Ind.

By holding off a late Clarkson rally, the men’s basketball team captured its third Liberty League championship in five years with a 68-64 win. The team blew past RIT in the semifinals, downing the Tigers 72-51. Aldin Medunjani ’16 scored a game-high 21, adding six assists, five rebounds and five steals. Connor Merrill ’15 and Royce Paris ’17 produced 15 points each, while Erik Sanders ’16 contributed 10 points, three assists and six rebounds.

The team opened up a 15-point second-half lead against the Golden Knights, but Clarkson clawed its way back into the game, tying the score at 62-62 with 1:36 remaining in regulation. Medunjanin made a sensational play on Skidmore’s next trip down the floor, converting on a layup while being fouled. Merrill pulled down his most important offensive rebound of the season on the ensuing free throw, allowing Medunjanin to go back to the free throw line for two more. The Golden Knights pulled back within two, but Paris restored the team’s four-point cushion with a pair of free throws. Skidmore’s league-leading defense did the rest, shutting down Clarkson on its final two possessions to hang on for the 68-64 win.

Sanders was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 25 points on 8 of 9 shooting. Joining Sanders on the All-Tournament Team were Merrill and Medunjanin. Merrill finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, while Medunjanin had 13 points and four boards.

The team will take its eight-game win streak into the NCAA tournament. Tournament field announcement is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 2.

Women’s basketball captured its first-ever Liberty League title, knocking off regular-season champion St. Lawrence, 67-62 in a double-overtime thriller at St. Lawrence. Skidmore advanced to the championship game with a 65-57 win over Clarkson in the semifinal. The Thoroughbreds outscored the Golden Knights 16-8 over the final six minutes of play to secure the victory. Molly McLaughlin ’15 had a season-high 18 points, including a timely 3-pointer that sparked Skidmore’s final charge. Angela Botiba ’15 had a game-high 20 points and 14 rebounds and Kelly Donnelly ’18 posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.

The team battled back from a 13-point second-half deficit to force overtime against the Saints. Both teams struggled to score in the first overtime, producing six points each. Skidmore managed to pull away in the second overtime period, outscoring St. Lawrence 15-10 en route to victory. McLaughlin, named the Liberty League Tournament’s Most Valuable Player, scored nine of her game-high 21 points in overtime. Botiba continued her stellar season with a double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down 16 rebounds, and Donnelly added a double-double with 14 points and 13 boards.

Having secured its first-ever NCAA Division III tournament bid, the team awaits its seeding. The tournament field will be announced at 2 p.m. Monday, March 2.

Josh Trachtenberg ’15 scored a man-up goal at 2:43 in overtime to give men’s lacrosse a 6-5 win at Babson in the season opener for both teams. The Thoroughbreds led 5-0 at the half behind two goals from R.J. Caruso ’18 and tallies by Brendan Halloran ’18, Jack Metzler ’17 and Connor Hunter ’15. The Beavers scored five unanswered goals in the second half to force overtime, but Skidmore would not be denied as Trachtenberg ripped home the winner in the extra frame. The team travels to Williams Wednesday, March 4, for a 6 p.m. contest.

Tyler Phillips ’17 scored with 1:35 remaining in regulation, leading women’s lacrosse to a 13-12 win at Mount Holyoke in its season opener. The team rattled off six straight goals over a nine-minute span in the first half to take an early 8-5 lead. Mount Holyoke managed to fight its way back into the game, tying the game 2-2 with 4:21 remaining in regulation, but Phillips sealed the win for the visitors with her third goal of the contest. Spencer Morgan ’15 had a game-high six points on four goals and two assists, Emma Harris ’16 recorded a hat trick and Marisa Caponi ’18 netted a pair of goals. The team goes on the road to take on Hartwick at 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 4.

Men’s tennis rolled to an 8-1 win at RIT, sweeping doubles play and winning four of five singles matches. Kai Yuen Leung ’17 had a dominant performance at number-one singles (6-1, 6-0), and paired with Jonah Epstein ’16 for an 8-1 win at number-two doubles. Steven Kolouris ’18 notched a 6-1, 6-3 win at number-two doubles and teamed with Nick Tong ’16 for a 9-8 (2-0) win at number-one doubles. The team welcomes New York University at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7.

Women’s tennis took on two nationally ranked opponents at the ITA Indoor National Championships in Greencastle, Ind. The team dropped its opening match against No. 2 Washington University 8-1 before suffering a 5-4 defeat against No. 20 Washington & Lee in a closely contested match. Erica Meno ’18 was the Thoroughbreds lone winner against Washington University, recording a 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-3) victory at number five singles. Meno added a win at number-three singles against Washington & Lee. Brianna Greene ’18 won a marathon at number-two singles (2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6)), while Caroline Finnegan ’18 cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 win at number-five singles and paired with Michelle Fuca ’18 for an 8-5 win at number-two doubles. The Thoroughbreds host Vassar at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 7. ~ By Dan St.-Jacques