MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Clark University men's basketball team (1-3) closed out a three-game road trip at Middlebury (2-0) and fought back in the second half, but dropped the contest 75-68 to the Panthers on Wednesday night from Pepin Gymnasium.
How it Happened
- Clark trailed 9-7 early despite a three-pointer from junior Reid Neumann and points from both seniors Kekoa McArdle and Bruce Saintilus before a three-pointer from first-year Kyle Squires tied the game at 12-12 with 14:28 to play in the first half.
- After a 12-2 run by the Panthers, Saintilus connected on a three-pointer to bring Clark back to within seven at 24-17, but Middlebury then rattled off six straight points.
- Graduate student Jordan Richard and Saintilus combined to score the Cougars next five points before buckets from first-year Boluwasefe John and Saintilus pulled Clark within eight at 34-26 with 3:28 to go.
- Saintilus scored Clark's final basket of the half with a fastbreak layup as the Cougars trailed 38-28 at the break.
- Middlebury opened the second half with six straight points before Clark netted eight unanswered sparked by four points from McArdle and two apiece from John and Squires to bring the Cougars within eight at 44-36.
- McArdle and Saintilus combined for Clark's next six points before three-pointers from Richard and Neumann kept the Cougars within striking distance at 60-48 with 8:55 remaining.
- Saintilus netted eight of 10 points for the Cougars over the next five minutes, with a three-pointer off a feed from sophomore Quentin Pridgen making it a 65-58 contest with 3:22 to play.
- A pair of free throws from John brought Clark back within five and after an and-one from Tristan Joseph, Pridgen responded with a three-pointer to keep the deficit at five.
- Neumann hit a triple with 0:48 remaining to pull the Cougars within four at 70-66 and a pair of free throws from Saintilus made it a 72-68 game, but Clark was unable to score again as they fell 75-68.
Inside the Box Score
- The Cougars grabbed 33 rebounds, made 10 three-pointers, dished out five assists, and recorded five steals.
- Saintilus netted a team-high 24 points on seven made shots and pulled down four rebounds.
- McArdle registered his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
- Neumann connected on three three-pointers for nine points.
- John added six points and six rebounds.
What's Next
The Cougars will return home for a non-conference contest against Baruch on Saturday afternoon beginning at 1:00 p.m.
