UNION HOLDS OFF KNIGHTS LATE SPURT, 71-68

February 14, 2004

Josh Harner led the Knights with 14 points against Union

Potsdam, NY – John Cagianello scored 31 points on 12-for-22 shooting as Union survived a furious comeback from the Clarkson University Men’s Basketball team to hold on for a 71-68 Upstate Collegiate Athletic Conference (UCAA) league win Saturday afternoon at Clarkson’s Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights fell to 14-9 overall and 8-4 in the UCAA while Union moved to 17-6 overall and 7-5 in the conference.

Union shot 15-for-32 in the first half with Cagianello taking nearly half the team’s shots, going 7-for-14 from the floor for a team-high 16 points. Devon Bruce also added 10 points and six rebounds for Union. Kevin Williams (Syracuse, NY) was the only Golden Knights’ player to surpass five points in the first half, contributing 12 points and six rebounds, thanks to 6-for-6 shooting from the free throw line. The Golden Knights shot only 34.4 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, while the Dutchmen made 46.9 percent of their shots.

Clarkson closed the gap to 42-38 in the second half, but the Dutchmen took advantage of several fast break opportunities and extended their lead to 58-41 after a 3-pointer from Cagianello at the 13:17 mark. Clarkson chipped away and, with a Nick Jones (Washington, DC) 3-pointer, the Golden Knights took off with a 15-4 run to close the gap at 60-56 with 7:29 remaining. Josh Harner (Houston, TX) hit a 28-foot 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to take a 65-63 lead, their first since early in the first half. Brian Scordato hit a 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining to give Union the lead back 67-65. Chris Murphy hit a pair of free throws with 31 seconds remaining, but Harner came back with another 3-pointer to cut the lead 69-68. After free throws from Cagianello, the Golden Knights came down with a chance to tie, but Matt Decker was short on a 3-pointer as the Dutchmen came away with the victory.

Harner scored 14 points, all coming in the second half, to lead the Golden Knights, while Williams finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds along with three assists. Bruce closed with 19 points and 14 rebounds for Union and Scordato added 11 points.

The Golden Knights close the regular season with a two-game homestand when they face Hobart and Hamilton next weekend.

Print Friendly Version