Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-- Bench scoring was the difference in Skidmore College's  79-74 Liberty League men's basketball win over Clarkson University, Tuesday night at the Williamson Sports Center.

With five league games to play, the Thoroughbreds are alone in second place with an 8-3 Liberty and 14-6 overall record.  The Golden Knights are tied for fourth at  7-5 and 14-7.   Skidmore won the first match-up 81-72 on Jan. 17 in Potsdam.

The Thoroughbred bench outscored the Golden Knights 22-8 in the second half and 32-11 for the game.

Clarkson hit seven-of-nine three-pointers in the first half to take a 43-37 lead into the break.  Jerry Coleman led the way with 15 points, including nine from beyond the arc.

The game stayed close throughout the second half, until Clarkson used a 5-0 run to open its largest lead of the game, 63-56 with 9:10 to play. 

Skidmore responded with a 9-2 run to tie it 65-65 at the 6:58 mark.  Gerard O'Shea started the run with a layup after an offensive rebound by Melvis Langyintuo. Brian Lowry scored the next four points off his own two steals.  John Mantas closed the run with a three-pointer after grabbing an offensive rebound.  

Langyintuo eventually put the Thoroughbreds back in front 68-67 with a basket at 5:39.  The Golden Knights kept it close over the final minutes, but Mantas beat the shot clock twice in the final 1:34 to secure the win.  Mantas hit a three as the shot clock hit zero for a 76-71 lead with 1:34 to play.   Terron Victoria extended the lead to 77-71 with a free throw, before Jerry Coleman hit his only three of the second half to cut it to 77-74 with :54 left.   Coming out of a timeout, Mantas worked the shot clock to one and the game clock to :21, before scoring on a lay-up for  the 79-74 final.

Mantas finished with 12 points. O'Shea scored a team-high 15 points, while adding six assists and a pair of steals.  The two steals ties him for first on Skidmore's career list with 225.  Lowry was also in double figures with 10 points and three steals. 

Jerry Coleman led Clarkson with 19 points, after scoring 15 in the first half. John Coleman had 14 points and Charlton 12.  Felix Llanos and Tyler Brown scored 11 each.

Skidmore scored 24 points off 15 Golden Knight turnovers.

The Thoroughbreds hit the road for league games at Hobart on Friday and RIT on Saturday. Clarkson will host Vassar on Friday and Bard on Saturday.