SCHENECTADY, NY -- Drew Desmarais scored a game high 18 ponts and Steve Madej was 10 for 10 at the line en route to 16 points as Union improved to 2-0 in the Liberty League with a 71-62 men's basketball win over Clarkson Friday night at the Viniar Athletic Center. Union has won six straight and is now 9-3 overall, while the Golden Knights fell to 9-3 and 0-1 after their Liberty League opener.

Desmarais had eight of 12 shots from the floor and had six rebounds, while Matt Covucci pulled down 11 rebounds, tying his career best for the Dutchmen. Drew Goldstein added 14 points and dished out five assists and Joey Lokitis scored 11 in the victory.

Brian Salanger (Syracuse, NY) led the Golden Knights with 14 points and Brandon Linton (Queens, NY) added 12 points with a game best seven assists. Clarkson shot 38% for the night while the Dutchmen had a 48% shooting mark. The Dutchmen had a slight 37-33 edge off the glass.

Union trailed 36-33 at halftime. The Dutchmen trailed 44-41 with 12:09 left in the second half, but but tied it at 47-47 with 8:39 left on two Desmarais free throws. Union then went on a 15-4 run in the next 5:49 for a 62-51 advantage with 2:50 left and never trailed by less then five the rest of the contest.

The Dutchmen will host St. Lawrence at 4 p.m. Saturday while Clarkson will play at Skidmore.

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