WORCESTER, Mass. – The Clark men's basketball team (4-0) played their 2022-23 home opener as they welcomed York (0-6) to the Kneller and the Cougars came away with an 83-74 win on Saturday afternoon.  

How it Happened

• Clark took an early 8-6 lead as first-year Reid Neumann hit a pair of three-pointers and sophomore Isaiah Taylor made a layup.
• Sophomore Ian Calabrese then connected on a three-pointer to give the Cougars an 11-8 advantage before the Cardinals went on a 6-0 run that was ended by a layup from junior Bruce Saintilus as York led 14-13 with 11:15 remaining.
• Saintilus later recorded a steal and went down the other end of the court and made a crowd-roaring dunk to regain the lead at 19-18.
• After York regained the lead at 23-19, sophomores Kekoa McArdle and Taylor each made baskets, including an and-one layup from Taylor and a three from junior Mikey O'Brien connected on a triple to give Clark a 27-25 edge with 5:14 to go.
• Clark then went on a 10-7 run capped off by a three-pointer from Neumann to give the Cougars a five-point edge and a layup from Taylor pushed the lead to 39-32.
• Junior Jordan Richard connected on a jumper before the half as Clark took a 41-35 lead into the break.
• Saintilus scored five of Clark's first seven points of the second half capped off with a Saintilus three-pointer to push the advantage to 48-40.
• After an O'Brien three-pointer gave Clark a 53-42 lead, York scored the next five points before McArdle connected on an and-one layup in a 56-47 game.
• Saintilus later made an and-one layup to push the lead to double-digits at 61-49, but the Cardinals went on a 10-0 run to get back within two with 8:42 to go.
• First-year Nate Edwards-Roseney made a three-pointer and an O'Brien triple with 6:19 to go pushed the lead to 69-63 with 6:19 remaining.
• After the Cardinals got back within two, Saintilus made a pair of free throws and after York tied the game again, McArdle made a free throw to give Clark a 72-71 advantage.
• Taylor then took over the game over the final 2:33 of action as he scored seven points as Clark went on a 7-3 run, with a Taylor three-pointer giving the Cougars a 79-74 edge with 1:15 to go.
• Saintilus made four free throws down the stretch and Clark held York scoreless over the last 1:15 as Clark won 83-74.

Inside the Box Score

• The Cougars grabbed 38 rebounds, dished out 21 assists, and forced 16 turnovers.
• Saintilus led the team with 20 points and grabbed four rebounds.
• Taylor added 17 points, three steals, and two assists.
• O'Brien and Neumann each scored 13 points and made five field goals.
• McArdle recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

What's Next

Clark will return to the court on Tuesday when they welcome Anna Maria to the Kneller in a non-conference contest beginning at 6:00 p.m.