Schenectady, NY – For the third time in five days, the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team let a double-digit second-half lead slip away, but this time the Golden Knights were able to hang on for the win, taking a 75-73 overtime victory against Union in Liberty League action on Saturday afternoon.

The Golden Knights picked up their first conference win of the season and moved to 1-2 in the Liberty League, evening their record at 6-6 overall. The Dutchmen dropped to 5-7 overall and 1-3 in conference games.

Clarkson was on fire from the outset with 20 points in the first six minutes, aided heavily by the effort from long-range. Both Matthew Hornak and Michael Hayduk tossed in three 3-point field goals in the first nine minutes of the game as Clarkson sunk seven of their first eight attempts from the arc. It was a stark contrast from the Knights' interior game where they were able to make just one of their first six attempts. Though Clarkson's pace slowed after the opening 10 minutes, where the team scored 25 points, it did enough to maintain at least a double-digit lead for the remainder of the half, closing the opening 20 minutes with a 39-24 lead when Hayduk buried his fourth 3-pointer of the half with just four seconds on the clock.

Hayduk finished with 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting from the field and Hornak added nine points, making all three of his long-range attempts. Drew Zlogar also had nine points and Liam Ellis recorded a solid all-around first-half effort with five points, eight rebounds and six assists. On Union's side, six players scored at least three points with Deshon Burgess scoring six points to go along with three boards.

Clarkson expanded its lead to 18 early in the second half, but Union chipped away and was back to within single digits at the 14:49 mark when Wade McNamara made a pair of free throws. The Dutchmen pulled to within five at the midway point of the half following a Greg King 3-pointer and less than a minute later another 3-pointer, this time from Kevin Weckworth, allowed Union to climb within four. At 8:26, Burgess buried another 3-pointer for Union, knotting the game up at 53-53. The Knights quickly responded and regained a five-point lead, but a steal, basket and free throw with 1:21 to go tied things up again at 63-63. On the ensuing possession, the Knights turned the ball over and Wade McNamara picked up a steal and a layup to give Union its first lead since the opening minutes of the first half. Clarkson would not let the game slip away on its next possession, however, going inside to Derek Hart, who converted once again for the third tie of the contest with 35 seconds to go. Despite two full timeouts to draw up a play, Union was unable to take the lead, sending Clarkson to its second overtime contest in five days.

In overtime, Hayduk made his fifth 3-pointer of the game at the start of the half and Liam Ellis added a free throw shortly thereafter to put Clarkson up by four, though a Deshon Burgess free throw would put the game back to a single-possession margin. Clarkson extended its advantage to five on a layup by Liam Ellis at the 2:09 mark, but McNamara sunk a 3-pointer 14 seconds later to pull the Dutchmen back to within two points. Moments later, a Deshon Burgess basket allowed Union to retake the lead with just 50 seconds to go. Clarkson responded with a Matt Hornak basket to put Clarkson back up by one 19 seconds later, and at the other end Wade McNamara missed a shot and the Knights gathered in the loose ball. Following a foul by Union, Liam Ellis sunk both of his free throws with 17 seconds to go to push the lead to three, but there was still plenty of time for the Dutchmen to get a good look at the basket. Kevin Weckworth missed his 3-point attempt for Union, and Clarkson's Hayduk corralled the rebound and was fouled. Unfortunately, he was off on both of his free throw attempts to ice the game, giving Union one more chance with a heave from beyond the arc. With just three seconds to go, instead of allowing Union to take a shot, Clarkson fouled to send the Dutchmen to the line, forcing them to make the first shot and then get an offensive rebound off an intentional miss. Weckworth followed the script by making the first free throw and getting the Dutchmen back to within two, but the Dutchmen turned the ball over on the second free throw and were unable to get the equalizing shot. Still with two seconds left, Clarkson was fouled and freshman Matt Higgins was sent to the line. He missed the first free throw, and his second free throw was missed as well, but Union had no time to get the rebound and toss the ball 90-plus feet the other way, allowing the Knights to earn a hard-fought victory.

All five Clarkson starters finished in double figures, with each recording at least 13 points. Hayduk led the Knights with 15 points and Derek Hart added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Hornak also tossed in 14 points and point guard Liam Ellis finished with 13 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. Drew Zlogar also chipped in 13 points. For Union, Burgess scored 20 points, on 8-for-16 shooting, and added 11 boards. McNamara also produced 14 points, while Weckworth scored 17 points off the bench.