Worcester, Mass. – Powered by junior Brian Vayda's (Sturbridge, Mass.) huge double-double and some long range shooting from classmate Travis Curley (Trumbull, Conn.), host Clark rolled to a decisive 84-71 win over Worcester-area rival Fitchburg State on Monday evening in non-league men's basketball action at the Kneller Athletic Center.

The win for the Cougars is their second straight season-opening victory over the Falcons and their third in their last four season openers.

Vayda, who ended 2009-10 with two straight double-doubles notched the 11th of his career with 26 points and a career-high tying 15 rebounds, while Curley, connected for five three-pointers en route to a career-high 23 points.

The Falcons opened the game on fire and raced out to 24-14 lead behind a pair of long three-pointers from Adam Fahey (Auburn, Mass.). That lead for Fitchburg State proved to be short-lived, however, as the Cougars ran off 13 straight points to take a 27-24 lead, as Curley made two three-pointers and Vayda converted a three-point play and had a pair of inside hoops.

Sean Sullivan (Lexington, Mass.) made a pair of free throws at the three minute mark and then the Clark defense held the Falcons scoreless over the next two and a half minutes to push their lead to 43-34 before settling for a 43-36 halftime edge.

Clark never relinquished the lead in the final 20 minutes, seeing their advantage grow to as many as 15 at 59-44 following a steal and fast break finish from Drew Billington (Fairfield, Conn.) at the 11:28 mark.

Fitchburg State wouldn't go away, however, and minutes later had the score at 64-58 after a Tom Hennenberry (Lexington, Mass.) inside score.

The Scarlet and White had an answer, as Tom Desautels (Manchester, Conn.) dropped in a baseline jumper and Vayda had an interior finish and the Cougars were back in the driver's seat to stay.

After shooting a sizzling 54 percent in the first half, including a 50 percent showing from behind the arc, the Clark defense held the Falcons to just 33 percent in the second stand and a 1-for-6 display from three-point land.

The Cougars, meanwhile, shot 45 percent for the game and buoyed by Curley's 5-for-8 performance from international waters, 42 percent from behind the arc.

Clark also controlled the glass, outrebounding the visitors, 44-28, and held a 23-10 edge in second chance points.

Fitchburg did force 23 Cougar miscues, which led to 30 points, but the Cougars connected on 24-of-35 free throw attempts, including going 18-for-27 in the second half.

Henneberry led the Falcon attack with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Elliott Knowler (Baldwinville, Mass.) added 14 points. Fahey finished with 13 points before fouling out and Rolffi Canela (Perth Amboy, N.J.) handed out a game-high seven assists.

Tucker Esborn (Branford, Conn.) recorded nine points and eight rebounds for the Cougars, while Mitch Renshaw (Rutland, Mass.) tallied eight points, four rebounds and three steals in 27 minutes.

Fitchburg State will take part in the Keene State Tournament on Friday and Saturday, while Clark returns to the hardwood as part of the Equinox Classic on Friday. They will face Swarthmore on Friday at 6:00 p.m.