Potsdam, NY - Throughout the second half, Bard College always seemed to have an answer with a big 3-pointer and those shots fell at all the key times to allow the Raptors to outlast the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team 54-53 in Liberty League action Friday night at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights fell to 4-8 overall and 1-2 in the Liberty League, while the Raptors remained unbeaten in league play at 3-0 and moved to 6-6 overall. Clarkson will look to even up its record in conference play when it faces Vassar College on Saturday, while Bard hopes to maintain its unblemished record in league play at St. Lawrence.

Not much in the way of offense occurred in the opening minutes for either team thanks to some solid defense and open looks rattling out for both squads. With just 15 points combined in the first 12 minutes, Clarkson was the first team to get hot as it scored on four straight possessions. Tom Nuttle buried a 3-pointer to start the streak and Malaquias scored eight straight points with two 3-pointers and a lay up in the span of 1:02 to give Clarkson a 20-6 lead with just under six minutes to go in the half. Bard didn't panic, however, finishing off the period with a 12-4 run of its own to pull within six at the break.

Felix Abongo scored the first nine points of the second half for Clarkson, but by that point Bard had climbed back into the contest. Drew Zlogar made his first 3-pointer of the game with just under 12 minutes to go in the game, helping the Knights reclaim a one-point advantage (36-35), but the Raptors made sure that each time Clarkson took the lead or tied the game up that they would make the momentum shift short-lived. With 3:12 to go, Harry Johnson buried a 3-pointer from the wing to give Bard a 46-43 advantage, and though Clarkson would make sure that it would remain in striking distance throughout the rest of the contest, the Raptors hit clutch free throws down the stretch. Emmanuel Rainey buried all four of his freebies in the waning seconds to make sure that a desperation shot would do nothing but keep Clarkson close, and the Raptors held on for a one-point win despite a Conrad Zampier 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds to go.

Felix Abongo led Clarkson with 20 points, shooting 6-for-16 from the field and 8-for-12 from the free throw line, while Malaquias Canery went 6-for-9 for 14 points. DeVahnte Mosley chose his shots well throughout the game and finished with a game-high 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting to lead the Raptors. Harry Johnson and Emmanuel Rainey also tossed in nine apiece.