Geneva, NY - A strong first half from Connor Rehbaum gave Hobart College a solid lead at the break and the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team couldn't change the momentum after intermission, dropping a 69-50 decision to the Statesmen in Liberty League action Friday night.

The Golden Knights fell to 12-9 overall and 6-6 in the Liberty League, just outside the top four in the conference with four games to go. Hobart improved clinched its spot in the conference tournament by improving to 18-5 overall and 12-2 in conference play.

In the first meeting, the Golden Knights had numerous offensive options against the Statesmen, but that didn't prove to be the case in the rematch. Clarkson trailed by a single point (9-8) in the early going, but Connor Rehbaum hit back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the half to cap a 17-3 run and help the Statemen's lead swell to 15. Clarkson slowly chipped away and was back to within six near the half, but Rehbaum hit another 3-pointer on the last possession of the half to give the Statesmen a 33-24 edge.

Following a Jeremy Liss (Vestal, NY) lay in at 16:41 that had the Knights back within seven, Hobart went on a 9-0 run to take a 16-point edge. That would be as close as Clarkson would come for the remainder of the game as Clarkson's offense struggled from the perimeter (3-for-11 from beyond the 3-point arc) and the interior (13-for-35, 37.1%) against Hobart's superior size.

Sophomore Felix Abongo (Beacon, NY) was the only Clarkson player to finish in double figures, scoring a team-best 17 points on 5-for-12 shooting from the field and a 6-for-6 performance from the free throw line, while adding in eight rebounds. For Hobart, Rehbaum finished with 20 points, going 7-for-13 from the floor including four 3-pointers. Richie Bonney, who had 31 in the first meeting of the two teams, was held to 13 points, but made six of his seven attempts from the floor and controlled the glass with 14 rebounds. Trey Blanding also chipped in 12 points and seven assists for the Statesmen.