Potsdam, NY - Committing only four turnovers in the entire game, the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team was able to overcome a tough night from the perimeter to take a 69-55 win away from it's match up against Elmira College Friday night at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights improved to 4-1 overall on teh season and will take on Paul Smith's College at 7:00 pm next Tuesday at Alumni Gym. Elmira remained winless in its four games this year.

Clarkson set the tone on the first possession, causing a turnover and getting a fast break lay up in the opening seconds and never trailed in the entire contest. Elmira would tie the game twice in the early going and was back within two points, 17-15, with 9:30 remaining, but the Knights scored eight unanswered points in less than three minutes, capped off by a three-point play from John Coleman (Potsdam, NY) at the 6:40 mark. Elmira utilized the outside shot to stay close, pulling back to within three, 29-26, on an outside jumper from Derrick Vogel with 2:45 to go, but Clarkson held the Soaring Eagles off the scoreboard for the remainder of the half for a six-point edge at the break, 32-26.

A 3-pointer from Felix Abongo (Beacon, NY) in the early going of the second half ended a 9-1 run to begin the half and the Knights would lead by at least double figures for the remainder of the contest. Clarkson would push its advantage to 17 points after a free throw from John Coleman and then extended it to a game-best 19 points after Jerry Coleman (Potsdam, NY) nailed a paif of freebies as well, but a long distance shot in the final minute by Elmira gave Clarkson just a 14-point cushion at the conclusion of the contest.

The Golden Knights shot just 3-for-17 from beyond the 3-point arc, but made up for that light night from outside with impressive interior passing that gave them 19 assists and just four turnovers total. On the other end, Elmira had a respectable 15 turnovers, but with the two teams essentially shooting the same percentage from the field (46.8% Clarkson, 42.0% Elmira), the lack of miscues by the Knights proved to be the difference.

John Coleman finished with 14 points, shooting 5-for-9 from the floor, adding in seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Jerry Coleman contributed 13 points while Nate Uline (Gansevoort, NY) had 12 points with only one miss in his six attempts from the floor. Marques Charlton (Deer Park, NY) had a solid all-around game as well with eight points, nine rebounds and six assists.

For Elmira, Chris Cassidy shot 6-for-9 from the field for a game-high 15 points and added in seven boards. Neil Randolph came off the bench for the Soaring Eagles to toss in 12 points, shooting 4-for-8 from the 3-point line.