POTSDAM, N.Y.—
Noah Meren continued to light up opponents with a game-high 25 points to lead the Skidmore College men's basketball team to a 67-57 Liberty League road win over Clarkson University Saturday evening.
After the first weekend of conference play, only two of the league's 10 teams are unbeaten. Skidmore (3-2 overall, 2-0 Liberty League) and Bard (4-3, 2-0) are alone at the top of the standings. Clarkson drops to 0-7 and 0-2.
Meren is averaging 27.0 points per game after five contests. He was 7-15 from the floor and 11-13 from the line when the Golden Knights unsuccessfully tried to slow him down with contact. He added eight rebounds, an assist, and a block.
Edvinas Rupkus had a double/double with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with two assists and a steal.
Barryn Shark led Clarkson with 13 points off the bench.
After giving up the opening basket, Skidmore quickly took the lead for good on a
Chase Ta jumper and
Greg Skoric layup at the 17:12 mark of the first half.
The Thoroughbreds had a tough time shaking off the determined Knights, but methodically extended the lead by scoring the final eight points of the half for a 32-21 lead.
The closest Clarkson would get the rest of the way was seven after a pair of Robert Welch free throws with 1:47 left to play, 61-54. Rupkus and Ta went 2-2 from the line over the final minute and Rupkus tacked on a late lay-up to preserve the 67-57 win.
Skidmore was 22-49 (44.9) from the floor and 20-23 (87.0) from the line. The Thoroughbred defense frustrated the Golden Knights, holding the home team to 16-55 (29.1%) from the floor and 9-36 (25.0%) from three-point range.
"I'm really pleased with how hard we played tonight," said Skidmore head coach
Joe Burke. "It was not pretty on the offensive end but I think we realized over the last 24 hours that this team can be a good defensively when they play with an edge and a sense of urgency. We did a great job tonight on a really explosive offense.
"It's important for us to take this weekend and get back to work to keep the momentum going."
Skidmore returns to action Dec. 5 with a 6 p.m. home game against Worcester State.
