Skidmore downs Clarkson 81-72

Box Score Potsdam, NY – A strong presence on the offensive glass and steady interior play helped lift Skidmore College to an 81-72 Liberty League victory over the Clarkson University men's basketball team Tuesday night at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights saw their conference mark evened at 2-2 and they fell to 9-4 overall on the season. Skidmore picked up a key road victory and moved to 10-3 and 4-1.

The Golden Knights came out hot in the first half, scoring 12 points in the first three and a half minutes for a quick nine-point lead. That advantage would extend to as many as 11 points midway through the half, but Skidmore wouldn't allow the Knights to blow them out early. The Thoroughbreds went inside thanks to the penetrating drives of Gerard O'Shea, and eventually the 3-pointers started to fall. Skidmore used a late 8-0 run to lead 46-42 at the half.

Clarkson shot 66.7 percent (16-for-24) from the field in the first half, but had just two offensive rebounds while committing nine turnovers. Skidmore also shot above 50 percent in the half, but had second chances with seven offensive rebounds, with several of those ending up as three-point plays. Skidmore also had just four turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

Skidmore maintained an 8-to-12 point lead for much of the second half, but back-to-back 3-pointers from Felix Llanos pulled Clarkson back within five, 69-64, with 5:27 remaining. That would be as close as the Golden knights would get.

For Skidmore, four players finished in double figures, led by Gerard O'Shea's 14 points. Terron Victoria added 13 points, Melvin Langyintuo added 11 points and seven rebounds, and Connor Merrill played well as a reserve, scoring 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting.

"Winning on the road in this league is very difficult" coach Joe Burke said. "So I am pleased that we got the job done. It obviously was not the start we were looking for but I was pleased with our fight. Clarkson is very explosive offensively and once we settled in I thought we guarded them pretty well."

"Offensively we still have not hit our rhythm. There is more potential for this group. I thought we did a real nice job inside tonight but we have yet to put it all together. Its exciting to know that we can be better."

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