Plattsburgh, NY - Ashley Loggins (Albany, NY) and Cara Manfredi (Glastonbury, CT) each scored 14 points as the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team came up just short against 20th-ranked Lebanon Valley in the opening round of the Hampton inn/Microtel Cardinal Classic Saturday night.

The Golden Knights saw their record evened at 2-2 overall and will take on Morrisville State tomorrow at 1:00 pm. Lebanon Valley remained unblemished at 4-0.

Clarkson raced out to an early lead with a strong start, taking an eight-point lead (11-3) in the first four minutes. Six minutes later, the Knights pusehd that advantage to 12 (22-10), but Lebanon Valley began to show its strength and gained its first lead at the 5:03 mark at 27-26. Clarkson also retook the advantage at 4:32, but the Dutchmen went on a 13-0 run in the final four minutes of the half before Isabella Esposito (Essex, VT) sunk a jumpber to stop the run and pull the Knights back to within single digits at intermission, 40-31.

In the second half, Clarkson simply could not break the Dutchmen's momentum, never slicing the lead back to within single digits. Lebanon Valley pushed its advantage to as many as 19 points, but Clarkson put a scare into the 20th-ranked team in the country, getting back to striking distance in the waning moments before the margin finally settled at 13 points.

Loggins scored 14 points and added in six rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Manfredi produced 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. Freshman Stephanie Grobe (White River Junction, VT) tossed in 11 points, shooting 5-for-7 from the field, and also added in six boards, two assists, and a pair of blocks.

"We played a very good basketball team tonight," coach John Hampton said. "I'm proud of the way we competed and batteld for 40 minutes against them. We were right there, and I think that speaks volumes for the steps we've made as a program so early on in this season."

For Lebanon Valley, Bridge Rothert scored a game-high 17 points, making six of nine from the field and four of six from beyond the 3-point arc. Kiely Chaklos and Peyton Carper each added 11 points, with Carper's points coming off the bench.