SCHENECTADY, NY -- Liam Ellis had 13 points and a game high 14 rebounds, and made the free throws that led to the victory in Clarkson University's 75-73 men's basketball overtime win over host Union College at the Viniar Atheltic Center Saturday afternoon. The Golden Knights are 1-2 in the Liberty League and 6-6 overall while the Dutchmen fell to 1-3 in league play and 5-7 for the season.
Derek Hart also posted a double-double for Clarkson with 14 points and 10 rebounds and the other three starters also scored in double figures. Mike Hayduk had a team high 15 points, Matt Hornak scored 14 and Drew Zlogar scored 13 for the guests, who shot 45% for the game, 45% in threes and had a 45-40 advantage in rebounding.
Deshon Burgess led Union with 20 points and posted his fifth double-double with 11 rebounds.
Kevin Weckworth had 17 points and
Wade McNamara 14 while
Brendan Laing had a career high seven rebounds. Union shot 40% for the night and made 41% from three point territory.
Clarkson had a 39-24 lead at halftime, and led 14-3 3:49 into the game. Hayduk had 12 points at the half and Ellis already had eight rebounds. A layup by Hart 18 seconds into the second half made it a 17 point lead at 41-24, which would turn out to be the largest lead of the night. Clarkson led by 13 at 51-38 with 13:05 left after a three pointer by Malaquias Canery, but Union then went on a 15-2 run over the next 4:39 to tie it on a three pointer by Burgess. It was a five point lead for Clarkson as late as with 3:16 left on a three by Ellis, but
Kevin Weckworth hit a jumper and a McNamara three point play with 1:21 tied it at 63-63. Union took the lead with 1:01 left on another McNamara layup after his steal. But with 35 seconds left in regulation, Hart buried a basket to notch it at 65-65. Weckworth attempted a three with three seconds remaining and Ellis missed a layup at the buzzer to send it to overtime.
The Golden Knights led by five at 71-66 with 2:09 left. Union took the lead for the only time in the extra session on a layup by Burgess with 50 seconds left (71-70). but after a layup by Hornak,Ellis then was fouled with 17 seconds left and made both threes for a three point lead, 75-72. With two seconds left and the three point lead, Clarkson fouled
Kevin Weckworth and he made the first but there was a turnover on a violation before the second shot and Clarkson pulled out the victory.
Union is at Hobart for a Liberty League contest Tuesday at 8 p.m.
