The Bard College men's basketball prevented Skidmore's second half comeback to take down the Thoroughbreds 85-70 on Friday night at Williamson Sports Center. 

Bard had five players in double digits as Lazaros Panagiotounis had his ninth 20+ point game of the season with 20 points. He added three assists and three rebounds. Max Frei tied his career-high 15 points, shooting 4-of-5 from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line (5-of-5). Frei grabbed three boards and two assists. 

Sean Wilcox scored 14 points with six boards, two blocks and two assists with no turnovers, while Rowan Heinze had a near double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds with two assists. Jalen Umstead added 10 points and two boards in 14 minutes of playing. Azriel Almodovar had a near triple-double with a team-high 12 rebounds, eight points and seven assists.

Bard and Skidmore were back and forth in the first seven minutes of the game. The Raptors dropped three consecutive threes at 9-9 to take an 18-9 lead. An 8-2 run in the last two minutes of the first half gave the Raptors a 13 point lead heading into halftime. Bard shot 41.18% from the field in the first half and improved its shooting in the second half with 53.85% (14-26). The Raptors were 50% from behind the arc (13-26), which is their team's season high 3-PT FG made.  

In the second half, Skidmore came out hot with a 6-0 run to get within seven of Bard. A timeout called by Bard turned the game around as the Raptors went on a 13-2 run to give them their biggest lead of 18 points. The Raptors kept the Thoroughbreds at bay, keeping the double digit lead and answering back everytime Skidmore scored a three pointer in the last 10 minutes of the game. Bard's 14-of-17 from the free throw line in the second half was essential in the win since Skidmore's plan was to put the Raptors on the line and make a three for the last five minutes of the game. 

Bard will stay on the road as they face rival, Vassar, tomorrow at 4 p.m.