CLINTON, N.Y. - The Bard College men's basketball team made just 4-of-20 free throws in the first half at Hamilton on Saturday, yet they led by three at halftime.
You couldn't help but think it would eventually cost them. It did.
The Raptors were outrebounded 54-30 and missed 24 free throws in a 78-64 non-league loss. Bard (3-4) has lost three of its last four.
Hamilton (6-3) took charge with a 20-8 run in the first 10 minutes of the second half. It turned a 32-29 halftime deficit into a 49-40 lead at the 10-minute mark, and Bard didn't get closer than nine the rest of the way.
Bard's quickness was a problem in the first half for Hamilton, but Hamilton's size was a problem for Bard in the second half. The Continentals corralled 21 offensive rebounds that led to 13 second-chance points. And even though the hosts missed 13 free throws themselves - they went 33-for-47 - they made 15 more than Bard did in a game they won by 14.
Freshman guard Peter Hoffman (Putnam Valley, NY) led Hamilton with 19 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Jack Dwyer (Monroe, NY) added 18 points, and freshman Michael Grassey (Winchester, MA) added 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Bard got 22 points from
Emmanuel Rainey, and 11 each from
Harry Johnson and
DeVahnte Mosley.
The Raptors will play two more games before the holidays, in the Puerto Rico Classic in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Bard will play Augsburg on Dec. 19 and Lawrence on Dec. 20. Liberty League play starts at Skidmore on Jan. 2.
