PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's basketball team saw 13 different players score points in a winning effort in its first game of the 2015-16 season against Clarkson at Memorial Hall on Tuesday night.
 
Senior guard Edward Correa picked up right where he left off last season, going 4-for-8 from three-point range and scoring a team-high 15 points.
 
The Cardinals as a team shot an even 50-percent from the field (29-58) while limiting the Golden Knights to 23-58 (39.7-percent) shooting on the evening.
 
After Clarkson jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, Plattsburgh State would get its first point of the season from an Edward Correa free throw and its first field goal on a layup from sophomore Zack Coleman. The Putnam Valley, N.Y., native turned in a nice performance in his first career collegiate start, registering 12 points while collecting two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
 
The game remained close for the first ten minutes of the opening stanza. With the score tied at 22 and just under nine minutes remaining, the Cardinals went on their first of several scoring streaks. After an Edward Correa three-point field goal, Plattsburgh State got back-to-back layups from freshmen Brandon Johnson and Jonathan Patron to grab a 29-22 lead.
 
Clarkson battled back to cut the deficit to three points with five minutes left in the first half. However, Plattsburgh State would hold all of the momentum going into the half, with Ian Howard being the main catalyst. The freshman from Queens, N.Y., scored all of his six points in consecutive fashion in a span of 1:43 to build the Cardinals' lead to 40-31.
 
The Cardinals jumped out in the second half strong on defense, holding the Golden Knights scoreless over the first 3:45. Plattsburgh State's lead would only grow as the second half continued, allowing head coach Tom Curle to empty his bench and get a good read on many of his new players.
 
Senior Kyle Richardson finished with 10 points to go along with a game-high seven rebounds, while fellow final-year man Xavier Thomas chipped in with nine points, five rebounds, and two blocked shots. Sophomore Eli Bryant dished out a game-high five assists, looking very comfortable in his first NCAA Division III contest.
 
Plattsburgh State will have the weekend off before facing a tough opponent in its first road contest. The Cardinals will travel to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Monday night to face a Skidmore team that made the NCAA Tournament last season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.