ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College men's basketball team opened the New Year with an 81-61 victory over Paul Smith's College in a non-league game on Tuesday night.

Bard got a career-high 19 points from Heston Tucker, who went 7-for-11 from the field, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked a pair of shots, all in 20 minutes. Kevin Le scored 15 points for the second straight game, and Greg Farrow finished with 13 points.

"It's a great win to start the New Year," Bard coach Michael Lenahan said. "We were missing several key players, but our team handled it like champions. Heston has been great in practice and he carried it over into the game. I'm excited about the lift he gave us."

Lazaros Panagiotounis chipped in with nine points, six rebounds and six assists, while Azriel Almodovar had five points, four assists and a team-high 12 rebounds.

Bard jumps back into Liberty League play this weekend. St. Lawrence will be in Annandale on Friday, and Clarkson will visit on Saturday.

"We will try to get better over the next two days and be ready for St. Lawrence and Clarkson," Lenahan said.