WORCESTER, Mass. – The Clark University men's basketball team (1-1) wrapped up its season-opening trip to Maine with a matchup against Husson (0-1) on Sunday afternoon. A late first-half run gave the Eagles the lead at the break, but the Cougars battled back to take a late advantage and held on for a one-possession, 60-59 victory.
How it Happened
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After the Eagles opened the game with a 5-0 run, first-year Jaryn Aguiar answered with a layup, followed shortly by one from sophomore Elijah Small.
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First-year Nidas Paulauskas and Small knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to give Clark its first lead. After Husson evened the score, Paulauskas converted an and-one layup to make it 14-10 with 11:46 remaining in the half.
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The Eagles cut the deficit to one, but a layup from sophomore David Fridia and a three-pointer from sophomore Trace Clark quickly extended the Cougars' lead.
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Husson closed the half on a 12-0 run to take a 29-23 advantage into the break.
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Senior Malik Matanmi scored six quick points to open the second half, while an Aguiar three-pointer cut the deficit to just two.
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The Eagles pushed their lead back to six, but the Cougars battled back to tie the game at 40 behind back-to-back three-pointers from senior Christopher Clarke and Clark.
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Clarke, Matanmi, and Paulauskas added baskets to keep the game close, before another tying three-pointer from Clark made it 49-49 with 8:15 remaining.
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Layups from Clark, Aguiar, and Small helped the Cougars take the lead, and Small added another finish inside to make it a three-point game with 2:50 to play.
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Small knocked down two late free throws to extend the lead to four, a cushion that proved crucial when Husson converted an and-one layup to cut the deficit to one with three seconds remaining.
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Clark received the ensuing long inbound pass and ran off over two seconds of game clock, leaving Husson without an opportunity to get off a final shot as the buzzer sounded with the Cougars ahead, 60-59.
Inside the Box Score
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The Cougars made 22 field goals on 10 assists, including seven three-pointers. Clark also grabbed 30 rebounds and recorded nine steals and six blocks.
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Paulauskas led the team in scoring for the second straight game with 12 points.
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Small poured in 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, adding four rebounds, four blocks, and a steal.
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Clark set a career high with 11 points, while also contributing five rebounds and a steal.
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Aguiar scored nine points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field, including 1-of-1 from three-point range, and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. He also recorded a team-best four steals.
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Matanmi finished with eight points and seven rebounds, adding a block and a steal.
What's Next
The Scarlet and White return to Worcester for their home opener against Roger Williams on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
