The St. Lawrence University men's basketball team led for over 35 minutes on Tuesday night, but ultimately fell one-point short in the matchup versus Clarkson in Burkman Gymnasium.

The Saints came out firing. Aidan Macaulay hit a 3-pointer on the opening possession, and Trey Syroka came up with a steal and fed Gavin Macaulay for the fastbreak layup. After five minutes the Saints had three steals and led 18-3. After a timeout to collect themselves Clarkson found their rhythm and at half St. Lawrence led 31-25.

For the first 13 minutes of the second half the score oscillated between a three and a nine-point difference, with the hosts always ahead. A 3-point play the old-fashioned way gave the Golden Knights their first lead of the game with just over four minutes remaining. They extended it to four points with eighty second left, but Gavin Macaulay answered immediately with a fastbreak layup and the free-throw to make it a one point game at 57-56.

The Saints defense collapsed in the paint and forced a Clarkson travel, but turned the ball back over on the next possession. Clarkson missed the front end of a one-and-one, and St. Lawrence was able to get to the rim, but the layup rolled out, as did a last second tip-in, and Clarkson held on for the win.



"Disappointing outcome tonight," said head coach Chris Downs. "Our offense continues to sputter and that's on me. I need to find a way to put our guys in better positions to win. They are playing their hardest on both ends."

Gavin Macaulay and Trent Adamson each had 13 to lead the Saints. Aidan Macaulay had ten, including a pair of triples. Will Engelhardt and Syroka each came up with three steals as the Scarlet and Brown forced 18 turnovers. Engelhardt also had a game-high nine rebounds.

Blake Gearhart led Clarkson with 13 points playing 38 minutes.

Both teams shot 41-percent from the floor, but the Golden Knights out-rebounded the hosts 41-29.

St. Lawrence falls to 11-7 on the season and 7-5 in Liberty League games. Clarkson improves to 7-12 and 4-8 in the conference.

This game marked the first of five straight at home. The Saints host Hobart on January 3^rd at 7:30 p.m.