Tsakane Ngobeni (Soweto, S. Africa/St. Anne’s-Belfield School, VA) added 11 points, six assists and a game-high six rebounds for Hamilton, while Nick Jones (Washington, DC/St. John’s College High) poured in 12 points for the visitors. Hamilton shot 45%, including a 52% clip (13-25) in the second half, and committed just seven turnovers. The Continentals also had a 34-23 rebounding advantage.
Union was led by backcourt mates John Cagianello (Wethersfield, CT/Loomis Chaffee) and Chris Murphy (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY/Iona Prep), who each scored 15 points. Murphy also had five assists and made six of eight shots from the floor. Brian Scordato (Mt. Kisco, NY/Horace Greeley) added 12 points for Union, which shot 56% for the game.
Hamilton led 34-29 at halftime, and a Valenti three-pointer gave the Continentals a nine-point lead at 40-31 two minutes into the second half. Union tied it at 57-57 with 6:25 left on five straight points by Cagianello in a span of 30 seconds. But the Dutchmen never took the lead in the game. Welchons hit a three-pointer with five seconds left for a 67-62 Hamilton lead, and after a three-pointer by Murphy with under four seconds left made it a one-point game, Valenti was fouled and made a free throw with one second remaining that iced the victory.
Liberty League play continues for both teams Saturday. Union hosts Hobart at 4 p.m. while Hamilton plays at Skidmore at 4 p.m.
Newspaper Box Score Hamilton vs Union 1-20-06 8:00 PM at Viniar Athletic Center, Schenectady, NY At Viniar Athletic Center, Schenectady, NY HAMILTON 68, UNION 65 HAMILTON (11-2,3-1 Liberty) Phil Valenti 4-7 1-2 13; Nick Jones 5-8 0-0 12; Tsakane Ngobeni 5-8 0-0 11; Tim Welchons 4-14 2-4 10; Giorgi Chavleishvili 3-7 3-4 9; Zarrette Rogers 2-8 0-0 5; Harlee Wood 2-2 0-0 4; Staunton Peck 2-3 0-0 4; Chris Moore 0-0 0-0 0; Rob Toste 0-0 0-0 0; Kyle Dumas 0-0 0-0 0; Jeff Bernardi 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 27-60 6-10 68. UNION (9-6, 2-2 Liberty) Chris Murphy 6-8 0-0 15; John Cagianello 5-10 5-8 15; Brian Scordato 5-8 0-0 12; Jim Rahill 3-4 2-2 9; Darcy Bonner 2-3 3-4 7; Steve Madej 1-2 0-0 3; Kyle Grimm 1-3 0-1 2; Drew Desmarais 1-1 0-0 2; Delon McAllister 0-0 0-0 0; Joseph Mackey 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 24-43 10-15 65. Hamilton...................... 34 34 - 68 Union......................... 29 36 - 65 3-point goals-Hamilton 8-23 (Phil Valenti 4-6; Nick Jones 2-3; Zarrette Rogers 1-4; Tsakane Ngobeni 1-2; Staunton Peck 0-1; Jeff Bernardi 0-3; Tim Welchons 0-4), Union 7-15 (Chris Murphy 3-3; Brian Scordato 2-4; Jim Rahill 1-2; Steve Madej 1-1; Kyle Grimm 0-1; John Cagianello 0-4). Fouled out--Hamilton-None, Union-None. Rebounds-Hamilton 34 (Tsakane Ngobeni 6), Union 23 (John Cagianello 4; Darcy Bonner 4; Jim Rahill 4). Assists-Hamilton 20 (Tsakane Ngobeni 6), Union 13 (Chris Murphy 5). Total fouls-Hamilton 14, Union 13. A-338