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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Defending champion Hobart raced to an early lead and never trailed Friday in a 80-59 men's basketball victory over Nazareth in the semifinals of the 47th annual Wendy's College Classic at the University of Rochester Palestra.

Nazareth dropped to 4-2 overall and will play for third place Saturday at 3 p.m. against St. John Fisher. Hobart (3-2), meanwhile will play for its second straight championship at 8 p.m. against the University of Rochester at the Palestra.

In a rematch of last year's final, Hobart shot well from the field in hitting 32 of 58 shots (55.2 percent), including 8 of 21 (38.1 percent) from three-point range. Richie Bonney led the Statesmen with 16 points. Joe Gibbons added 13. Senior Tyshun Stephens was Nazareth's high scorer with 15 points and nine rebounds. Dan Waldbillig added 14 points.

Hobart shot 55 percent (16 for 29) from the field in the first half to take a 38-26 advantage as Bonney made six first-half baskets for 12 points. Freshman Mitch Ford scored seven points for Nazareth. The score was 29-24 after a basket by Stephens with 5:21 left in the half, but Hobart closed the half with a 9-2 run to take a 12-point lead.

Hobart's lead continued to grow in the second half. Gibbons scored the first five points of the second half to fuel a 25-8 run as Hobart's lead grew to 63-34. Nazareth used a 11-0 run to close within 63-45 with less than seven minutes left, but it was too little too late for the Golden Flyers.

Nazareth shot 40.7 percent from the field (22 for 54) and 4 for 15 from three-point range. Nazareth had 37-29 rebounding advantage.