GENEVA, N.Y. - The Bard College men's basketball team had a few games this season that started out unbelievably well. A 12-0 lead to start the game at John Jay. A 20-0 lead to start the game at Union. A 27-5 lead at home against Clarkson to start the game.

The Raptors know how it feels to be in that groove. It's intoxicating.

On Tuesday night, it was Hobart that was in a groove to start the game. It was 14-2, 18-6, 42-19 ... the Statesmen made 10-of-14 shots from beyond the three-point line in the first 20 minutes to build a 27-point halftime lead.

To their credit, the Raptors battled back in their first Liberty League playoff game, but eventually lost to Hobart, 89-72.

"We know how it feels to be that focused and see everything go in," Bard coach Adam Turner said. "Hobart played great. We battled back, though."

Down 50-23 at the break, Bard pressed and trapped its way back into the game, even though much of the crowd had left by then. A 13-3 run in the first five minutes cut the deficit to 17, and an 18-9 run that followed trimmed it all the way back to eight, 62-54, with 9:21 remaining. Plenty of time left.

The full court pressure defense took its toll, however, and Hobart was in the bonus with eight minutes left. Due to some solid foul shooting (18-for-20 in the second half) from Hobart and an occasional three-pointer - they went 3-for-9 in the second half - the Statesmen held Bard off and advanced to Saturday's semifinal vs. No. 2 St. Lawrence at Skidmore.

Colin Dougherty (Lockport, NY) led the winners with 21 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Jamal Lucas (New York, NY) added 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Bard (13-13) got 23 points, six rebounds and five assists from Alijah Rue. Armando Dunn added 14 points, and David Runcie finished with 10 points and five rebounds.