Geneva, NY – Despite a 54-point second half, the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team's comeback attempt came up just short, falling 87-83 against Hobart College in Liberty League action Friday night.

The Golden Knights fell to 5-10 on the season overall and down to 2-6 in the Liberty League, while Hobart moved to 9-7 and 5-4. Clarkson hopes to get back on track Saturday when the team takes on RIT.

Clarkson fell behind by eight points in the first three minutes before getting on the scoreboard off a 3-pointer from Blake Gearhart. The Knights eventually got back within four on a few occasions in the first half, but the Statesmen went on a 10-0 run in a five-minute stretch to gain a double-digit lead.

Hobart led by as many as 16 points briefly in the first half, and returned the margin to that figure and more in the second half. The Statesmen kept the margin in double figures for most of the second period, but Clarkson began to make a run in the final five minutes. Gearhart hit a jumper at 4:47 to pull Clarkson within 11 (80-69) and the senior guard kept on making shots to help the Knights get within seven a minute later (81-74). In the final minute, Clarkson was able to pull to within a single possession twice, the first time on a jumper from Jack Dalgety with 34 seconds left, and then again on a 3-pointer from Dalgety with only nine seconds to go. However, on the ensuing inbound pass, Clarkson was unable to get the steal despite a close call near the baseline, and Hobart was able to make one of two free throws at the other end to put the game away.

Blake Gearhart scored 23 points on 10-for-14 shooting while also finding his teammates for five assists, and classmate Ryan Miles-Ferguson scored 18 points. Garret Delaney tossed in 10 points in 17 minutes.

For Hobart, Jackson Meshanic shot 9-for-12 from the floor for 24 points while also contributing 11 rebounds and seven assists. Patrick Walker also was 9-for-12 from the field to score 18 points, and Pat Healy added 16 points.