POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (1-4) succumbed to cross-town foe Clarkson University (2-2) 77-68 at the Alumni Gymnasium. Junior forward Ahamadou Sillah (Bronx, N.Y./Kipp NYC College Prep) scored 28 points and tallied a season-high 13 rebounds for his second-straight double-double. Junior guard Isaac Oduro Jr. (Jamaica, N.Y./Christ the King) registered 10 points for Potsdam.
 
The Bears got off to a quick start when Sillah and sophomore forward Parker Kelly (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown) hit back-to-back three pointers to put Potsdam up 6-0 in the first two minutes of the half. Led by Clarkson guards Blake Gearhart and Ryan Miles-Ferguson, the Golden Knights went on an 11-0 run of their own to put Clarkson up 11-6 at 16:26. The Golden Knights continued to stifle the Bears on the defensive end, going on an 18-6 run to extend the Clarkson lead 29-12 with 9:33 remaining. At 6:59, Kelly hit two free throws to begin a 7-1 run for the Bears. During the run, Sillah finished through contact to gain an opportunity for an old-fashion three-point play. Sophomore guard Jeff Williamson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Christ the King) nailed two more free throws to finish the run and trim the Golden Knight lead to 14 with 5:32 to go in the half. The scoring between both teams remained even until Clarkson registered seven points in the final two minutes to take a 19-point lead into the break.
 
To begin the next half, the Bears continued to chip away at the Golden Knights lead. That was until 15:37 when both teams went cold. During those next four minutes, neither team was able to find the bottom of the net. After a series of defensive stops, the Bears were beginning to fight their way back into the game.  Coming out of a timeout at 4:17, Sillah managed to grab his own rebound and was fouled on the way back up for another and-one opportunity. On the following play, junior guard Colton Huestis (Ticonderoga, N.Y./Ticonderoga) was fouled on a shot attempt and was awarded two shots at the line. Huestis swished both to close the Clarkson lead to just 10. Realizing they were short on time, the Bears applied full-court pressure in hopes of forcing turnovers from the Golden Knights. Using his quickness and agility, senior forward Brandon Segar Jr. (Jamaica, N.Y./Richmond Hill) picked the ball loose close to the basket resulting in an easy layup for the Bears. Rushing to basket as time was set to expire, Sillah was fouled at the rim. With the clock stopped at 51 seconds, Sillah sank two clutch free throws to cut the Golden Knights lead to six. With 44 seconds left to go and the Golden Knights in double bonus, Segar fouled Clarkson guard Matteo Sinon to put him at the line for two free throws. After missing the second free throw, Golden Knight forward Jack Dalgety swooped in for the offensive board to extend the possession and ultimately seal the win for Clarkson.
 
Sophomore guard MeSean Johnson (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy) recorded eight points while Kelly scored five points for the Bears.
 
Gearhart registered 17 points and eight rebounds for the Golden Knights. Garret Delaney and Miles-Ferguson posted 14 and 13 points, respectively.
 
The Bears are back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 22, when they open at home against Route 11 rival SUNY Canton at 7:30 p.m.