Potsdam, NY – With a frenetic pace throughout, the Clarkson University Men’s Basketball team scored its most points since late in the 1989-90 season, outdistancing Rensselaer 106-94 in Liberty League action Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights improved to 11-4 overall and 4-2 in conference games, while Rensselaer moved to 6-9 overall and 3-4 in the Liberty League.

Rensselaer entered the game in the top five in points per game in the nation, but also in the bottom five in points allowed, and has been the case all season, Rensselaer dictated the pace of the game with its hockey-style line substitutions, playing 16 players against Clarkson’s nine-man rotation. However, the Knights didn’t seem troubled with the up-and-down pace shooting 57.9 percent from the floor with numerous open lay ups from Nate Uline (Gansevoort, NY) when the RPI press didn’t slow the Knights down. Rensselaer forced eight Clarkson turnovers, mostly on plays where the sidelines came into play, and the Engineers were able to stay in the game with six 3-pointers.

Clarkson owned a 31-18 advantage in the first eight minutes, but RPI rallied back to tie the score 37-37 with five minutes remaining. Clarkson went on another run with a strong showing from Dylan Hodownes (Honeoye Falls, NY). The freshman guard came off the bench and scored 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc, helping the Knights to a seven-point edge at the half, 51-44.

Uline finished the half with 14 points, going 7-for-8 from the field, and Hodownes had 12 points. Twelve different players recorded at least one field goal, led by Brendan Farley and Jamie Zajac, who had six points each.

The second half was no different than the first with a continued up-and-down tempo, but while the Engineers stayed close with their pressure defense, they were never able to get over the hump and knot up the score or take the lead. Rensselaer pulled to within one point early in the second half, but Clarkson shot back out to a double-digit lead after a 3-point play from Hodownes on the fast break. After that play, the Engineers went on a 13-3 run to come back within a point, but the pace allowed two more fast break lay ups from Christian Collette (Yalesville, NY) and John Coleman (Potsdam, NY) to stretch Clarkson’s advantage back to five. Rensselaer pulled back within four, but it was as close as the Engineers would get, as Clarkson hit clutch 3-pointers and free throws down the stretch to finish off the contest.

Six players finished in double figures for Clarkson, as John Coleman came within a rebound of a double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds, shooting 11-for-13 from the field. Uline tossed in 18 points on 9-for-10 shooting and Hodownes added 18 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Jerry Coleman (Potsdam, NY) contributed 14 points, and Marques Charlton (Deer Park, NY) had a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. Collette also had 11 points on 5-for-5 shooting for the Knights.

Matt Pooley led all scorers with 21 points, going 8-for-20 from the floor and Daniel Martin scored 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting from the field and a 3-for-6 effort from the line.