POTSDAM, N.Y. - Down 10 with just under six minutes left, the Bard College men's basketball team rallied, cut the deficit to one in the final minute, but ultimately lost to Clarkson University, 89-85, in a Liberty League game on Saturday afternoon.
The night before, Clarkson made 14 three-pointers in a victory over Vassar. On Saturday, Clarkson made 15. But Bard was right there at the end with the game within its grasp.
Clarkson (3-9 overall, 2-3 Liberty League) extended a three-point halftime lead by making four consecutive three-pointers to start the second half. But a 12-0 run, culminating with a three-pointer by
Jelani Bell-Isaac, gave Bard a 52-46 lead about seven minutes into the second half.
The Golden Knights responded, first tying it up, then taking its biggest lead of the game, 73-63, with 5:53 to go.
Bard's
Alijah Rue scored 11 points over the next two minutes, 11 seconds, and Clarkson still led, 80-77, with 3:43 left. The three-point deficit remained, 85-82, with 1:32 left, and Clarkson had the ball.
The Golden Knights ran some clock, then got the ball inside, where
Armando Dunn collected a steal. Rue's ensuing layup attempt missed, but
Justyn Rogers' put-back made it 85-84 with 59 seconds remaining in the game. Clarkson missed a three-point attempt with 43 seconds left, and Bard had the ball, down one.
The Raptors worked the ball around on the outside, then got it inside to Bell-Isaac. His shot attempt was blocked by Liam Ellis, then the ball went off Bell-Isaac's foot and out of bounds as the Bard bench screamed for a foul with 19 seconds left.
Clarkson went 4-for-4 from the foul line in the final 13 seconds to clinch the victory. Matt Higgins (South Glens Falls, NY) led the Golden Knights with 26 points.
Bard had five players score in double figures, led by Rue, who produced 20 of his team-high 25 points in the second half. He also had nine rebounds and five assists. Rogers finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Bell-Isaac scored 14 points,
David Runcie had 12, and Dunn added 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks. Bard is 6-5 overall, 2-2 in Liberty League play.
The Raptors will next host their first conference games of the season, against Hobart (Friday) and RPI (Saturday). Follow those game online if you can't attend.
