SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Bard College men's basketball team rallied from 16 points down in the second half but never got over the hump, losing to Skidmore College, 77-66, in a Liberty League game on Friday night.

The first half was a tight, defensive struggle, and a 14-6 run to end the first half gave the hosts a 37-33 lead at the break. It didn't stay tight for long.

Skidmore came out flying in the second half with a 14-2 run over the first four minutes, pushing Bard's deficit to 51-35. But the Raptors came right back with their own 14-2 run, shrinking the bulge back to four, 53-49, midway through the second half.

With 9:20 left, Stamatis Koulouris' third three-pointer of the game cut Skidmore's lead to 56-55, and it was anyone's game.

After Skidmore sophomore Noah Meren (Providence, RI) scored the next seven points of the game to make the lead eight again, Bard fought back again, getting a jumper from Alijah Rue, a layup from Justyn Rogers, and one foul shot from Rue to make it 63-60 with 5:15 to go. But the Thoroughbreds ended the game on another 14-6 run to put it away.

Meren led all scorers with 31 points, and he also grabbed nine rebounds. Three other players scored 10 points apiece for Skidmore, which is 9-6 overall, 7-2 in the Liberty League.

Rue led Bard with 17 points, all in the second half. David Runcie added 15 points and three steals, Rogers finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, and Koulouris contributed 13 points and four rebounds. Bard 8-7, 4-4.

The Raptors remain on the road on Saturday, as they travel to Vassar for a 4:00 tip. Follow that game live right here.