Box Score POTSDAM, NY -- Four players scored in double-figures for Skidmore as the men's basketball team pushed past Clarkson University, 70-66, Tuesday night at Alumni Gymnasium in the Liberty League opener for both teams.
 
The Thoroughbreds improve to 7-3 on the season (1-0 Liberty), while the Golden Knights fall to 6-4 (0-1 Liberty).
 
Aldin Medunjanin led Skidmore with 17 points, Connor Merrill and Tanner Brooks both scored 15 points, with Merrill adding 15 rebounds and six blocks, and Perun Kovacevic chipped in with 12 points and seven boards.
 
Medunjanin started a 10-0 Thoroughbreds run early in the first half, hitting a 3-pointer to tie the game at 7-7. Brooks capped the run, getting a tough layup to fall to give Skidmore a 14-7 lead. The Golden Knights rallied back with a 7-0 run, tying the score at 14-14 thanks to a 3-pointer from Dylan Hodownes. The Thoroughbreds were able to regain control of the game with a 12-2 run, ending with a Brooks 3-pointer at 6:11. Skidmore continued its solid offensive play, carrying a 28-22 lead into halftime.
 
In the second half, he Thoroughbreds looked poised to run away with the game. Following a make by Merrill, Skidmore enjoyed a 13-point edge at 44-31. However, a few shots found their way in for the Golden Knights, and a Hodownes 3-pointer at the 6:52 mark saw Clarkson climb back to within three (55-52). Felix Abongo then later converted on a 3-point play on a lay up and a free throw, tying the game at 60-6.
 
The Golden Knights gained their first lead since early in the opening period on a Marques Charlton 3-pointer. The lead would be short-lived, though, as Skidmore regained a three-point edge with baskets from Sanders and Brooks. Another Charlton 3-pointer tied the score at 66-66, but the Thoroughbreds defense stifled Clarkson after that make, holding the Knights 0-for-6 in the final 1:50 of the contest. Kovacevic gave Skidmore the lead for good on a lay up in the middle of the paint, and Medunjanin sunk a pair of free throws with 19 seconds to go, giving the Thoroughbreds the 70-66 win.
 
John Coleman led Clarkson, scoring a game-high 24 points on 11-14 shooting. Charlton and Hodownes each scored 11 points for the Golden Knights.
 
"Hard fought, grind it out, road win tonight against a very good team," said Skidmore head coach Joe Burke. "I think Clarkson is as talented as anyone in our league and we had to play with great energy both offensively and defensively to get the win up here.
 
"We knew it was going to be a tough game. We also know that we are going to get everybody's best punch and we need to expect 15 more games to be like this, hopefully we can continue to come out on the right side."
 
The Thoroughbreds host Vassar College Friday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m.