Potsdam, NY – Tying its season-high with 12 3-pointers, most of which came in the first 30 minutes of the game, the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team led from wire-to-wire in an 81-59 win over RIT Friday night at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights improved to 8-12 overall and 5-8 in the Liberty League, while the Tigers fell to 8-11 and 4-8. Clarkson hosts Hobart College on Saturday afternoon as its four-game home stand continues.

The Golden Knights opened the scoring with a 3-pointer and never trailed in the first half, though the Tigers stayed close for the first 10 minutes of the half, as the margin was just six (18-12) near the midway point. A jumper from Dante Joefield began a significant run by the Knights though it was Garret Delaney who would extend the margin, as he hit three 3-pointers in a stretch of less than three minutes to put Clarkson up 12 (29-17). Delaney wasn't the only Clarkson player to hit shots from beyond the arc, Matteo Sinon hit a pair of 3-pointers, while Blake Gearhart and Malachi Harris also each had one. At the other end, the Tigers struggled mightily from the perimeter, shooting just 1-for-13 from beyond the arc. The only thing that kept RIT from getting doubled up was a late turnover and fast break layup in the final seconds, with the score set at 41-23 at the break.

Gearhart finished the half with 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting as Clarkson was just one make short of the 50.0% in the first half. However, RIT was just 10-for-30, though the Tigers were 9-for-17 from inside the arc.

The lead expanded to 25 (54-29) as Clarkson continued its hot shooting from outside, with 3-pointers from Ryan Miles-Ferguson, Gearhart, and Jack Dalgety. The Tigers began to make shots, but Clarkson always kept the visitors at a safe distance, maintaining at least an 18-point advantage throughout the second half. Though the pulls from the perimeter began to slow down with such a significant advantage, Clarkson still tied its season's best run from the outside, making 12 shots in its first 24 attempts.

Gearhart finished with 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting, and three others also finished in double figures. Finn Cork scored 11 points while both Ryan Miles-Ferguson and Matteo Sinon each scored 10 points in the win.

For RIT, Kevin Ryan was the lone player in double figures, as he scored 11 points. Keegan Occor had seven rebounds and four assists for the Tigers.