HARNER SCORES 19 SECOND-HALF POINTS, CLARKSON HOLDS OFF HOBART CHARGE

February 20, 2004

Josh Harner led the Knights against Hobart with 19 points - photo by Chris Lenney

Potsdam, NY – Senior guard Josh Harner (Houston, TX) scored 19 points, all in the second half, as the Clarkson University Men’s Basketball team held on for a slim 78-77 win over Hobart in an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) contest Friday night at Clarkson’s Alumni Gymnasium.

Hobart had two opportunities to come away with the win after a missed free throw from Brad Strait with eight seconds remaining, but both short shots bounced off the rim and Clarkson held on to clinch a spot in the UCAA playoffs. The Golden Knights improved to 15-9 overall and 9-4 in the UCAA while Hobart fell to 9-15 and 4-9.

Trailing 15-13 early in the first half, the Golden Knights went on a 9-0 run to take a 22-15 advantage with just over 10 minutes remaining, but the Statesmen quickly cut into the advantage and took a one-point lead on a pair of free throws from Brad Strait at the 4:41 mark. Clarkson closed the half with a mini-run to take a four-point lead at the half. Russ Vitallo (Dracut, MA) finished the opening 20 minutes with a team-high 14 points, shooting 7-for-8 from the floor. Nick Jones (Washington, DC) also enjoyed a solid first half with 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Jones also added four rebounds and three assists. Colby Feane led all scorers in the first half, producing 15 points for the Statesmen. The Golden Knights shot 64 percent from the floor, shooting 16-for-25, while Hobart went 13-for-30 from the floor.

The Golden Knights opened the half with a 7-0 run to take an 11-point lead, but Hobart went on a 13-2 run to tie the game at 49-49 with about 12 minutes remaining in the game. The two teams traded baskets throughout the half with no team ever taking more than a three-point lead. Clarkson gained a six-point advantage late, but the Statesmen cut the lead to one before the final play. Harner scored 19 points, all in the second half, with 15 coming on his five 3-pointers. Harner shot 7-for-10 from the floor and only missed two shots in the second half.

Vitallo scored 20 points before fouling out, adding five blocks, the third time this season he has recorded at least five blocks in a game. Jones added 18 points and eight rebounds in 30 minutes for the Golden Knights, while senior guard Kevin Williams (Syracuse, NY) added nine points. Clarkson shot 52.7 percent from the floor for the game, making 8 of their 16 3-point attempts.

Colby Feane led all scorers with 26 points for Hobart. Strait added 17 points and Joe Flacke contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Statesmen.

The Golden Knights close out the regular season when they host Hamilton College at 4:00 pm on Saturday afternoon.

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