POTSDAM, NY – Behind a balanced scoring effort, the Skidmore College men's basketball team earned a key Liberty League road victory, 86-82, at Clarkson on Saturday afternoon.

The Thoroughbreds (6-7, 2-4 Liberty League) were led by the freshman duo of Jacob Gooden and Will Wertz along with junior Aidan Roy, as the trio combined for 62 points to propel Skidmore past the Golden Knights (6-9, 1-7 Liberty League) after a back-and-forth opening half that featured 10 lead changes, before Skidmore created separation and pulled away late in the second half.

"Good bounce-back team effort today. I thought we started to find an offensive rhythm late in the game yesterday, albeit too late, but we were able to carry it over," said head coach Joe Burke.
 
"It's way too early for must-wins, but we knew we needed this one today. It's never easy playing these guys, especially at their place, but the guys challenged each other and rose to the occasion. We received important contributions from a number of different guys, which is something we need going forward.
 
"We have another quick turnaround to get ready for a very good Vassar team, but we're excited to finally be heading home for a bit."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Gooden scored 11 early points while Roy added eight, helping Skidmore jump out to a 27–24 lead at the 11:57 mark of the first half.
• The opening period featured 10 lead changes and four ties, with the Thoroughbreds building their largest first-half advantage at 34–26 with 8:58 remaining.
• Wertz scored eight of Skidmore's final 10 points of the half, allowing the Thoroughbreds to carry a 46–42 lead into intermission.
• At halftime, the first year duo of Gooden and Wertz combined for 24 first-half points, with Gooden tallying 13 and Wertz adding 11.
• Clarkson opened the second half with a strong push, battling back to tie the game at 56–56 with 14:45 remaining.
• Skidmore never allowed the Golden Knights to regain the lead, responding immediately with a 12–4 run to extend the advantage to 68–60 with 9:37 on the clock.
• Aided by clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch — including 10-of-13 from the line over the final six minutes — the Thoroughbreds held off Clarkson to secure a much-needed Liberty League road victory.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Gooden scored 21 points with five rebounds and two assists.
• Wertz scored a career-best 21 points with seven rebounds and two steals.
• Roy scored 20 points with three rebounds and three assists.
• Junior Jack LaGarde nearly recorded a double-double after recording ten points with eight rebounds.  

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds kick off a five-game homestand on Tuesday by hosting Vassar for a 7:30 PM matchup.