Worcester, Mass. – Nicholas DaPrato (Marshfield, Mass.) erupted for a game-high 31 points and host Clark University held off a furious rally to escape with a 63-58 win over Worcester State in non-league men's basketball action on Tuesday evening.

The win for the Cougars sends their record to an impressive 7-2 heading into final exams, while the Lancers dip to 1-8 overall with one more game – against Springfield on Friday before their semester ends.

Clark looked to be in total control of the game after a 19-2 run late in the first half gave them a 32-15 lead as DaPrato scored ten straight to highlight the spurt.

Worcester State responded and went into the half down 12 at 32-20 after Charles Gunter (Boston, Mass.) found a cutting Marquez McKreith-Collins (Springfield, Mass.) for a basket as time expired.

Less than eight minutes into the second half the Lancers had the once 17-point lead down to two at 41-39 during a 21-5 run that saw Dane Jobst (Athol, Mass.) score ten points of his team-high 16.

Worcester State got as close as 43-42 on an aggressive Gunter finish inside with less than eight minutes to play but Clark answered with a short DaPrato jumper, a free throw from Corey Gomes (Uxbridge, Mass.) and a strong drive and finish from Marcus Armstrong (Malden, Mass.).

The Cougar advantage stood at 51-44 following an Andrew Musler (Belmont, Mass.) top of the key three-pointer, but the Lancers kept fighting and after a conventional three-point play by Gunter WSU was within two at 55-53.

Armstrong came up with a huge offensive rebound and the ball found its way to Musler, who fed DaPrato for an easy inside hoop. Two free throws from Lucas LaLima (Colts Neck, N.J.) gave Clark some breathing room at 59-53 with 1:04 left but a hoop from Jobst and a triple from Manny Cabral (Roslindale, Mass.) closed the Lancers to within one at 59-58.

DaPrato, however, sealed the contest making four straight free throws to put him over the 30-point mark for the second time this season.

Clark held a 43-33 edge on the glass and a slight advantage on points in the paint (32-30). Worcester State, meanwhile, was able to convert the Cougars' 16 turnovers into 17 points.

In addition to Jobst's performance, the Lancers also got 14 points off the bench from Gunter and ten points, six rebounds and five assists from Brendan Rios (Easthampton, Mass.).

DaPrato shot 12-for-24 from the field, adding a team-best eight points and five steals for the Cougars, while Musler chipped in with seven points and seven boards and LaLima handed out six assists and grabbed five boards.

The Scarlet and White now have 18 days off before returning to action on December 29 against Thomas College in a game played in Pittsford, N.Y.