Worcester, Mass. – Powered by the 18th career double-double from senior Brian Vayda (Sturbridge, Mass.), host Clark University notched a hard-fought 67-57 win over visiting Anna Maria on Tuesday afternoon at the Kneller Athletic Center.

With the win, the Cougars evened their record at 2-2, while the AMCATS remain in search of their first victory (0-2). Clark now leads the all-time series with Anna Maria 13-1.

Clark jumped out to 22-11 lead midway through the first half, but the AMCATS fought back courtesy of a 12-2 run with seven coming from Anthony Click (Springfield, Mass.). The Cougars eventually settled down and went into halftime with a 31-27 edge.

Anna Maria tied the game less than six minutes into the second half on a three point play from Brad Peterson (North Kingstown, R.I.), but Vayda answered back with a hoop of his own. Peterson then scored five straight sandwiched around a pair of Vayda free throws to give the MCATS a 41-40 lead.

The lead changed hands a couple of times, before with the game tied at 47-47 and a little less than nine minutes remaining Clark went on a game-sealing 20-10 game-ending run. Their defense proved to be the difference however, as they held Anna Maria to just two points over the next six minutes.

The AMCATS shot a sizzling 54 percent in the second half but Clark dominated the glass, outrebounding the visitors 48-28 and made 20 more free throws.

Neither team shot the three ball well, combining to go 6-for-32.

Click led Anna Maria with 17 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists while playing all 40 minutes. Javier Bristol (Haverhill, Mass.) chipped in with 13 points and four boards, while Peterson scored ten of his 12 points in the final 20 minutes.

Vayda, meanwhile, totaled 23 points and 12 rebounds in his 30 minutes of action, connecting on seven of his 13 field goal attempts. Travis Curley (Trumbull, Conn.) added 11 points for the Cougars, who got eight points and seven rebounds from Marko Radovic (Belgrade, Serbia) and six points and a career-high ten rebounds from Tom Desautels (Manchester, Conn.).

Clark will return to the hardwood on Tuesday when they play host to Brandeis, while the AMCATS host Becker on the 29th as well.