GAMBIER, Ohio -- In a crucial North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) matchup, the Kenyon College Owls prevailed over the Hiram College Terriers with a convincing 77-55 victory. The win, Kenyon's third over the last four outings, keeps the Owls' playoff hopes alive as they currently sit in seventh place in the NCAC with a 4-9 conference record, just behind Wittenberg (4-8) in the race for the final spot in the six-team NCAC Tournament.

Gefen Bar-Cohen led all Owls scorers with 19 points on an efficient 5-of-11 shooting from the field, including going perfect from the free-throw line at 8-for-8. The eight free throws are the most he's made without a miss this season, and he's missed one time or fewer at the charity stripe in each of his last eight games, a combined 38-for-43 (88.4 percent) stretch. He also contributed significantly on the boards, pulling down a team-leading eight rebounds.

Sam Lieberman delivered an outstanding shooting performance, connecting on 5-of-7 field goals (71.4 percent) including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. The senior finished with 16 points off the bench, leading all reserves and matching his career-high scoring mark. 

Jackson Maloney added 13 points on 50 percent shooting (4-of-8) while also recording five rebounds, five steals, and three assists in a well-rounded effort. The five steals marked a season-high for the first-year. 

Miles Versa provided a spark with 12 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting (62.5 percent), while Murathan Kocaman contributed eight points, a season-high, and two rebounds in 15 minutes of play. Both players bolstered the team off the bench, and Kenyon's bench outscored Hiram's reserves 41-17 overall. 

The Owls' offensive efficiency was on display throughout the game, with multiple players shooting over 50 percent from the field. Overall, the team shot a strong 43.9 percent (25-of-57) overall and sizzled from both the three-point (42.9 percent, 9-for-21) and free-throw (18-for-21, 85.7 percent) lines.

The victory comes at a crucial time for Kenyon, as they find themselves in a tight race for the final playoff spot in the NCAC. With only three games remaining in their regular season schedule, including a pivotal matchup against sixth-seeded Wittenberg this Wednesday, February 12, every game has become increasingly important.

Kenyon's defensive effort was particularly noteworthy as the 55 points allowed were the season's second-lowest opponent total. The Owls recorded 11 steals total and were plus-10 (12-2) in the first-half turnover battle, leading to a 15-2 edge in points off turnovers over the first 20 minutes. 

The Owls also showed their unselfishness on offense, with multiple players recording assists and creating opportunities for their teammates. The team's 13 dimes tied for the seventh most this season, and first-year Marius Mazeika led the way with a season-high four helpers.

The teams played tight throughout the first half of the first half, and Hiram led 17-16 at the 8:42 mark. However, Versa and Lieberman sparked a run that would help the Owls close the period on a 24-12 stretch that included seven Jackson Maloney points and six from Kocaman. 

Maloney and Bar-Cohen helped the Owls off to a 5-0 second-half start, and Kenyon weathered a solo 8-0 run from Trent Jakacki, who finished with a game-high 27 points. After the heroics cut Kenyon's lead to single digits, the Owls outscored the Terriers 32-17 to build a game-high 23-point lead and lock up the team's third victory in four games. The win also ran Kenyon's streak to four straight over Hiram.

Looking ahead, this convincing victory could provide important momentum as they enter the final stretch of their season. With the top six teams qualifying for the playoffs, the Owls will need to maintain this level of play and potentially secure a win against Wittenberg to improve their postseason chances.

The team's balanced scoring attack, efficient shooting, and defensive intensity suggest they're peaking at the right time. As they prepare for their upcoming games, the Owls will look to build on this win and make a final push for a playoff berth in the NCAC Tournament.