Box Score
Box Score / Standings

Potsdam, N.Y. – The three starting guards for Clarkson each reached double figures, scoring 43 of the team's points in a 69-57 victory over Rensselaer in a Liberty League men's basketball game at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights moved to 14-10 overall and 5-8 in conference games. Rensselaer moved to 13-11 overall and 7-6 in conference games. The Red Hawks have already clinched the third seed in the league standings with one game to play (Saturday at St. Lawrence).

Rensselaer started off the contest by going to senior Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy), but the Knights mixed up their looks with three different defenders and started to slow him. Once Simmons picked up his third foul midway through the half, the Knights were able to push their lead into double figures, first getting to a 10-point lead with just under five minutes to go in the half.

With less than three minutes to go, a lay up from senior Ryan Smith (Niagara Falls, NY) gave Clarkson a 16-point advantage, 37-21. However, the Red Hawks narrowed the lead to 11 points with a 5-0 run to end the half.

The Knights shot 48.1% (13-for-27) from the field and held Rensselaer to just 27.3% shooting (6-for-22). The Red Hawks stayed in the game thanks to a solid performance from the free throw line, making 14 of the 17 attempts.

Clarkson senior Brian Salanger (Syracuse, NY) led all scorers with eight points in the first half, with Brandon Linton (Queens, NY) adding in seven more.  Junior guard Eric Anderson (Merrimack, NH/Merrimack) came off the bench to lead Rensselaer with six and Simmons added five points in eight minutes of action.

In the second half, with a fresh Simmons, Rensselaer made a series of runs thanks to his fall-away jumpers, but the Knights had an answer from their guards as Salanger, Linton, and Keith Murray (Queens, NY) took turns in stopping the streaks. The three guards made outside shots and driving lay-ins to keep the Red Hawks at least two possessions out of the lead.

Salanger finished with 17 points to lead the Knights, and Linton was close behind with 16 points, going 5-for-6 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Murray also had a solid all-around game with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.

For Rensselaer, Simmons finished with 22 points, going 9-for-15 from the floor. Anderson had 12 points, shooting 4-for-6 from the field.