Potsdam, NY - After a 5-for-38 performance from beyond the 3-point line in the last week, the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team got five 3-pointers in the first half against Potsdam State and never relinquished the lead to pick up their first victory of the season, a 66-60 decision in the consolation game of the annual North Country Invitational.

The Golden Knights improved to 1-3 on the season with the victory and will return to action next week when they travel to Union College to participate in a tournament at the conclusion of the Thanksgiving break. Potsdam fell to 0-4.

Potsdam enjoyed an impressive start in Saturday's contest, going 5-for-5 and committing just one turnover in its first six possessions, but the Bears couldn't connect on their next nine attempts from the field and shot just 4-for-21 for the final 14:30 of the first half. That offensive slump was enough for Clarkson to take advantage, as the Knights received a pair of 3-pointers from Tom Nuttle to get things going and then Drew Zlogar, Nuttle, and Conrad Zampier all made shots from beyond the arc to change a 12-6 deficit into a 24-19 advantage in the course of 10 minutes. Though the Knights didn't make another 3-pointer for the rest of the contest, the threat was there, allowing for the Knights to get the ball inside and convert better looks and get to the free throw line. Clarkson went into the locker room with a 32-24 lead after a Drew Zlogar free throw pushed the margin to eight points.

The two teams jostled back and forth in the second half, with Clarkson seeing its lead dwindle to as few as seven in the early going and watching it expand to as many as 13 (43-30) with 13 minutes to go. Though Potsdam would punch back and get back to within five points with less than eight to play, Clarkson always had an answer to keep the Bears at a comfortable distance. Potsdam got to within five on four occasions and reduced the deficit to just four points with 15 seconds to play after a Josh Blagrove lay in, but Conrad Zampier buried two more free throws to return the contest to a two possession game and the Knights held on for the win.

Junior Derek Hart finished with a team-best 13 points and also blocked four shots, while Zlogar kicked in 12 points, going 9-for-12 from the free throw line. Nuttle added nine points in just seven minutes, while Felix Abongo and Malaquias Canery each scored eight and had three steals. For Potsdam, Joe Estramonte scored 16 points off the bench and Dante Langley added in 15 points eight rebounds.