The Middlebury men's basketball team (9-2) extended its win streak to seven, edging visiting Skidmore 78-74 on Tuesday afternoon. The Panthers begin NESCAC play on Friday, entertaining Amherst at 7:00 p.m., while the Thoroughbreds (5-3) head to Union for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. 
 
Noah Osher got things going for Middlebury early, rattling off six of the first eight points to give the Panthers a 6-2 lead at the 17:21 mark. Skidmore responded, pulling to within one (10-9) on a jumper from Greg Skoric with 15:51 showing on the clock. Middlebury slowly increased its advantage, taking a 22-14 lead on a layup from David Brennan midway through the first half. Trailing 28-19 with 8:01 remaining, the Thoroughbreds went on a 23-6 run over the ensuing 6:34 to take a 42-34 lead. Middlebury answered with a 5-0 spurt to end the half, cutting the deficit to 42-39 at the break.
 
Trailing 46-43 at the 17:01 mark of the second frame, the Panthers went on a 9-0 run to take a 52-46 lead. Sam Stevens tallied a pair of three-pointers during the span. Skidmore cut the advantageto two (52-50) on a layup from Ty Lamport, but Middlebury answered with a 6-0 spurt to extend the advantage to 58-50 with 12:43 remaining. The Thoroughbreds slowly chipped away at the deficit, getting within three (72-69) on a layup from Harrison Eichelberger at the 4:22 mark. The Panthers extended their cushion to 76-69 on a jumper from Brennan with 2:43 to go in the game. Skidmore responded with a 5-0 burst to make it 76-74 with just 17 ticks left on the clock, before Osher converted a pair of charity tosses to secure the 78-74 victory for Middlebury. 
 
Osher led the Panthers with 22 points, while Stevens was right behind with 20. Alex Sobel just missed a double-double, tallying 15 points and nine rebounds to go along with three blocks. Brennan also grabbed nine boards for Middlebury, while chipping in with six points.
 
Skoric paced the Thoroughbreds with a double-double, recording 22 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Eichelberger tallied 20 points and six boards, while Tautvydas Kupstas had 15 points for Skidmore.