Potsdam, NY – A 17-0 run to close the first half provided the Clarkson University Men’s Basketball team with a 16-point advantage going into the break, and the Golden Knights concluded the game with a solid 71-56 showing over St. Joseph’s (VT) Tuesday evening at Alumni Gymnasium.

Clarkson pushed its record to 5-1 overall and will look to close out the first semester on a winning note when it hosts Morrisville State on Friday night. St. Joseph’s fell to 7-3 with its second straight loss to a Liberty League foe, having fallen to Rensselaer over the weekend.

Clarkson came out a little bit sluggish, not getting many chances as St. Joseph’s had an early rebounding advantage of 17-7. The Golden Knights trailed by four points midway through the half, 15-11, but a free-throw line jumper from Christian Collette (Yalesville, CT) sparked Clarkson’s run in the final eight minutes. Clarkson went on a 22-2 run to end the half, including a 17-0 run in the final 5:31. Clarkson was able to get many fastbreak points and didn’t force the shots that it had early on, taking the opportunities presented. Senior Tyler Barron (Burlington, VT) was the key for the Knights off the bench, scoring nine points all on 3-point field goals, and also added five defensive rebounds when Clarkson needed a spark. Senior Jerry Coleman (Potsdam, NY) added eight points on 4-for-5 shooting, but also committed five turnovers. Freshman John Coleman (Potsdam, NY) also contributed six points and four steals.

Despite shooting 50 percent in the second half, St. Joseph’s had trouble getting back into the contest. Clarkson pushed its lead to as many as 23 points early on, but the Saints rallied back a few times and pulled to within 15 at the 13:35 mark following a jumper from Evan Jobst. Clarkson rallied back with several bench players making solid contributions and extended the lead to as many as 21 (65-44) late in the game. Some careless possessions by Clarkson allowed the Saints to pull within 12 after a 9-0 run, but Marques Charlton (Deer Park, NY) nailed a pair of free throws to stop the run, and Clarkson surrounded a John Coleman lay up with a few more free throws to push the final separation to 15 points.

John Coleman scored a game-high 17 points and once again fell just one rebound short of a double-double, grabbing nine boards to go with his five steals and two blocks. Jerry Coleman was a point shorter, but did it in fewer shots, scoring 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Felix Llanos (Queens, NY) rallied from a tough shooting first half to finish with 11 points, while Charlton closed the game with eight points and eight assists.

Leading the way for the Saints, Dane Jobst came off the bench to score 10 points, shooting 5-for-9 from the field.