Top-seeded Hamilton (21-4 overall) will meet third-seeded Union College in the league title game at Scott Field House on Saturday at 3 p.m. as the Dutchmen edged second seed St. Lawrence University, 73-70, in the other semifinal. This will be the second straight year Union (17-9) and Hamilton will meet in the championship game. The host Continentals are playing in their fourth consecutive title game.
Ngobeni went 12-for-15 from the field and led Hamilton with nine rebounds. Nick Jones '06 added 16 points, including the 1,000th of his career. Jones has 1,014 points. Tim Welchons '06 scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half. Zarrette Rogers added 10 points off the bench. Staunton Peck '06 handed out a game-high seven assists. Phil Valenti '06 made four steals to push his total to 78 and set a school single-season record.
League Player of the Year Tom Schneider '06 paced the Red Hawks (11-14) with 24 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Schneider tied a tournament record with six three-pointers made in one game. Joe Johnson '06 and Neal Wesson '06 chipped in 10 points apiece.
The Continentals shot 52.7 percent (29-55) from the field and made nine steals to help force 20 turnovers. Rensselaer shot 52 percent (13-25) from the floor in the first 20 minutes as it went into the break trailing just 39-33. However, the Red Hawks cooled off to just 39.3 percent (11-28) in the second half. Rensselaer made 7 of 15 free throw attempts.
Union advanced to the finals for the fourth time in the last five years. Brian Scordato '06 led all scorers with 27 points as the Dutchmen won their fifth straight game. Scordato nailed six three-pointers, handed out six assists and grabbed six rebounds. Joseph Mackey '07 added nine points and a game-high eight assists. Union shot 55 percent (16-29) from the field in the second half as it came back from a 38-30 halftime deficit to outscore the Saints 43-32 in the final 20 minutes. The Dutchmen made 11 of 23 three-point attempts (47.8 percent).
League Rookie of the Year Bela Vonnak '09 led St. Lawrence (13-12) with 16 points and nine rebounds. Jimmy White (Grad.) dropped in 12 points and dished out seven assists. Tom Wopperer '09 and Matt Blue '07 added 11 points apiece. The Saints shot 52.9 percent (27-51) from the field and held a 36-23 advantage in rebounds, but turned the ball over 16 times. Union committed just six turnovers.
Rensselaer vs Hamilton College 02/24/06 8:05 p.m. at Scott Field House; Clinton, N.Y. At Scott Field House; Clinton, N.Y. HAMILTON COLLEGE 75, RENSSELAER 63 RENSSELAER (11-14) Schneider, Tom 8-18 2-2 24; Wesson, Neal 3-6 3-5 10; Johnson, Joe 4-8 2-5 10; Herman, Russell 3-4 0-0 6; Zepernick, Matt 2-6 0-3 4; Easley, David 2-3 0-0 4; Halas, Paul 1-6 0-0 3; Simmons, Sam 1-1 0-0 2; Hadley, Clay 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-53 7-15 63. HAMILTON COLLEGE (21-4) Tsakane Ngobeni 12-15 1-1 27; Nick Jones 6-12 2-2 16; Tim Welchons 4-9 4-4 14; Zarrette Rogers 3-4 2-2 10; Staunton Peck 2-4 0-0 4; Harlee Wood 2-6 0-2 4; Rob Toste 0-1 0-0 0; Phil Valenti 0-4 0-2 0. Totals 29-55 9-13 75. Rensselaer.................... 33 30 - 63 Hamilton College.............. 39 36 - 75 3-point goals-Rensselaer 8-20 (Schneider, Tom 6-11; Halas, Paul 1-4; Wesson, Neal 1-4; Zepernick, Matt 0-1), Hamilton College 8-21 (Nick Jones 2-7; Zarrette Rogers 2-2; Tsakane Ngobeni 2-3; Tim Welchons 2-6; Phil Valenti 0-2; Staunton Peck 0-1). Fouled out--Rensselaer-None, Hamilton College-None. Rebounds-Rensselaer 32 (Schneider, Tom 11), Hamilton College 32 (Tsakane Ngobeni 9). Assists-Rensselaer 15 (Schneider, Tom 4; Halas, Paul 4), Hamilton College 20 (Staunton Peck 7). Total fouls-Rensselaer 15, Hamilton College 17. A-847 Liberty League Championships tournament semifinal #2 Winner plays Union College in championships on Feb. 25 at 3 p.m.