Potsdam, NY – Shooting better than 60 percent in the final 20 minutes led to 55 points in the second half for the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team, and the Golden Knights turned a four-point halftime deficit into a double-digit 78-62 win over Potsdam State Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights improved to 3-1 overall on the season with their third straight victory, while Potsdam fell to 1-2. Clarkson will play in the Rochester Tournament next weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

Clarkson jumped out to an early lead in the first half, but the game changed early on as Marques Charlton (Deer Park, NY) was whistled for two fouls in the first 2:11 of the game and headed to the bench. The Knights possessed a four-point advantage at the 16:28 mark, but over the next five minutes the team would go scoreless with five missed shots and four turnovers while the Bears scored 11 points. Christian Collette (Yalesville, CT) ended the drought with a baseline jumper and the Knights methodically rallied back from that five-point deficit and regained the lead with just over two minutes to go. Felix Abongo (Beacon, NY) made a steal at the baseline on the Potsdam end and then headed down the court for a lay up to tie the score. After missing the free throw following a foul on that shot, the Knights got the offensive rebounds and Abongo put in another lay up to give Clarkson a 23-21 edge. However, Potsdam would score the next six points and head into the locker room with a four-point advantage (27-23).

The Knights shot just 11-for-33 in the first half (33.3%), but made up for that by committing just eight turnovers compared to Potsdam's 14. However, the Bears shot 50 percent from the floor (9-for-18) to even things out. Felix Abongo had eight points, five rebounds, and three steals in the first half to lead Clarkson, while Rob Duquette recorded a double-double in the opening 20 minutes with 13 points and 10 rebounds, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.

In the second half, the Knights quickly gained rallied back to take the lead, but trailed 37-36 to the Bears before turning on the offense thanks to some timely 3-pointers from Marques Charlton and Dylan Hodownes (Honeoye Falls, NY). The Bears wouldn't go away, regaining the lead, 49-47, but a 3-pointer from John Coleman (Potsdam, NY) gave Clarkson the lead for good. Over the course of the final nine minutes, Clarkson outscored the Bears 31-13.

Four players finished in double figures for the Knights, led by Charlton's 19 points in 26 minutes. Coleman recovered from a slow start, making his final four shots of the game and finishing with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Abongo concluded with 17 points and eight boards as well. Dylan Hodownes picked up 14 points as Clarkson's starters combined for 71 of the team's 78 points.

Rob Duquette finished with an impressive game, scoring 22 points on 8-for-8 shooting from the field and a 6-for-9 performance from the line. Duquette also grabbed nearly half of Potsdam's 36 rebounds, getting 17 caroms in the contest. Zac Adams tossed in 14 points and Joe Estramonte scored nine points, most of which came from the free throw line.