POTSDAM, N.Y. - After falling by just one point last month to Clarkson University, the Bard College men's basketball team wanted revenge in the rematch Friday night.

Unfortunately for the Raptors (3-19, 1-12 Liberty League), they came up just short once more, as Clarkson (12-10, 7-6 Liberty League) held on late, 76-71, in a Liberty League contest.

The win was crucial for the Golden Knights, who needed to win to keep their Liberty League playoff chances alive. 

Clarkson opened the night with an early advantage, as the team built up two different 13-point leads in the first half.

However, the Raptors wouldn't fade away.  

After falling behind, 23-10, Bard went on a 15-2 rally to tie up the contest, 25-25. The run was punctuated by a three pointer from Harry Johnson, who nailed four three pointers on the evening. 

Over the final five minutes of the first half, Clarkson regained the lead, going up by as many as seven points, before giving some of it back, as the team clung to a 38-34 halftime advantage. 

In the second half, it was more of the same, as each side battled for supremacy. 

The Golden Knights continued their attack in the opening minutes of the half, before the Raptors were finally able to gain the lead with 12:47 remaining, thanks to Johnson and his three point efforts.

Bard, trailing 46-41, gained its first lead of the game on back-to-back three's from the senior.

However, Clarkson quickly responded, regaining the lead just a minute later, thanks to a layup from Derek Hart (Poughkeepsie, NY), as the hosts never relinquished the lead the rest of the way.

The Golden Knights biggest lead of the second half was just nine points and Bard was able to cut the lead to just a one possession game late in the half, but it just couldn't find a way to get back even with Clarkson. 

The winners had a fantastic night shooting the rock, as they connected on 54 percent of their shots compared to Bard, who hit on just 40 percent.

The Golden Knights also shot an outstanding, 25-28, from the free throw line to give them just enough points down the stretch to hold on the victory.

Bard finished the night with four players in double-digits, as Johnson led the way with 18 points. Christopher Rogers added 13 points, Armando Dunn chipped in 12 points and Emmanuel Oyakhilome scored 10 points. 

Hart led the way for Clarkson, scoring 25 points, while Liam Ellis (Turners Falls, MA) tallied 21 points and Drew Zlogar (Clifton Park, NY) added 16 points.

Up next for Bard is a road contest with St. Lawrence University on February 11th. Tip-off is at 4:00 p.m. and you can follow it right here via Live Stats.