SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The Skidmore College men's basketball team held off a late Clarkson rally to secure the program's third Liberty League championship in five years in a 68-64 win, Saturday afternoon in front of a capacity crowd at the Williamson Center.
 
The Golden Knights (20-7) erased a 15-point second half deficit, tying the game 62-62 with 1:36 to play after a Drew Zlogar 3-pointer. Junior guard Aldin Medunjanin provided an immediate response for the Thoroughbreds (19-7), driving to the basket and converting on a tough layup on Skidmore's next possession. Medunjanin extended the lead to four with a pair of free throws, but Dylan Hodownes brought Clarkson within two with two free throws of his own. Royce Paris restored the Thoroughbreds four-point lead from the charity stripe and Skidmore's lockdown defense did the rest, securing the 68-64 victory.
 

Junior guard Erik Sanders was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after scoring 25 points on 8 of 9 shooting. Senior forward Connor Merrill finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks and Medunjanin added 13 points and four boards. Paris chipped in with eight points, eight rebounds and three assists off the bench.
 
Clarkson took control early in the first half, jumping out to a 22-11 lead in the first 10:24 of play, but Sanders ignited a Skidmore charge with seven points. The Thoroughbreds continued to build off the momentum, outscoring the Golden Knights 26-6 in the final nine minutes of the stanza to take a 37-28 lead into the break.
 
Sanders was a perfect 3 for 3 from the field for the half, while Skidmore shot 60% (15-25) from the field, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc (3-5).
 
The Thoroughbreds started the second half with a 6-0 run, but Golden Knights showed their resiliency, cutting the lead to six with a 13-4 run. Isaac Carp knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner to put Skidmore in front 54-45 with 9:48 remaining, but Clarkson continued to chip away at the lead. After Felix Abongo hit two free throws to cut Golden Knights deficit to four, Zlogar drilled a deep three to make it a one-point game with 6:16 to play.

The teams traded baskets over the next 4:47. Merrill made a free throw to put Skidmore in front 62-59 with 1:29 left in regulation, but Zlogar knocked down another huge 3-pointer on the ensuing Clarkson possession to tie the game at 62-62. Medunjanin came to the Thoroughbreds rescue on the next trip down the floor, as he got a layup to fall while being fouled. Merrill secured a massive offensive rebound on the ensuring free throw and Medunjanin went to the stripe for two more to put Skidmore in front 66-62 with 37 seconds on the clock.
 
Hodownes made two free throws on Clarkson's next possession, but Paris restored the Thoroughbreds four-point cushion, going 2-for-2 from the line after being intentionally fouled.
 
Skidmore relied on its league-leading defense in the game's dying seconds, forcing the Golden Knights into two difficult shots to hang on for the 68-64 win.
 
John Coleman had a game-high 26 points on 12 of 20 shooting to go along with seven rebounds. Abongo added a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards, also adding five assists and Hodownes had 10 points.
 
The Thoroughbreds finished 24 for 45 (53.3%) from the field, while the Golden Knights were 24 for 57 (34.5%).

Joining Sanders on the All-Tournament Team were Merrill, Medunjanin, Abongo and Coleman.

Skidmore, which extended its winning streak to eight, must now await its seeding in the NCAA tournament. The announcement of the tournament field is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 2.