SCHENECTADY, NY -- Deshon Burgess scored 23 points and Ryan Whelpley pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Union College men's basketball team to a 66-57 win over Clarkson University at the Viniar Athletic Center Saturday afternoon. It was the Liberty League opener for both teams. The Dutchmen improved to 3-5 overall while the Golden Knights fell to 3-7.

Whelpley added nine points and William Hython scored 10 for the Dutchmen. Wade McNamara had eight points and three assists with two steals. Union shot 39% for the game, but 46% in the secon half, and forced 18 turnovers. Union outrebounded Clarkson, 39-35.

Conrad Zampier lead the Golden Knights with 17 points and six rebounds, while Felix Abongo also had six boards. Derek Hart scored 12 points on six-for-eight shooting and Drew Zlogar added 10 points. Clarkson shot 41% for the game.

Union led 36-30 at the half, scoring 16 of those points off turnovers. Clarkson got as close as five at 39-34 with 17:43 left on a layup by Abongo. But the Dutchmen went on a 17-4 run over the next 8:05 as a Hython layup made it 56-38. The Dutchmen never led by less then nine the rest of the way.

Union hosts Bard Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m.