Potsdam, NY – Junior Finn Cork posted massive numbers with 34 points and 15 rebounds as the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team picked up its fourth win in five games, downing SUNY Potsdam 104-100 in overtime at Maxcy Hall.

The Golden Knights improved to 4-1 on the season, while Potsdam fell to 0-4. Clarkson is now off for the next two weeks, returning to action for league games at SkidmoreCollege on December 1st.

An impressive shooting performance from SUNY Potsdam in the early going put the Bears out in front, as Potsdam made 14 of its first 20 shots and did not slow down until the final moments of the half. Clarkson led for just one possession before the Bears went off on a small run. The Knights remained close after a Steve DeRegis 3-pointer at 12:30, but three-point plays on baskets on the inside with ensuing free throws from both Jeff Williamson and Colton Huestis gave the Bears a double-digit lead. The Knights eventually closed the gap to six on a Braeden Burns lay in, but the margin expanded back to 12 just two minutes later. That was when the Bears shots began to falter, as Potsdam went just 3-for-12 down the stretch. Meanwhile, Clarkson made seven of its 11 final shots to reduce the deficit to just one at the break, including a Frankie Rainville make with just six seconds to go in the half.

Both teams shot well in the first half, as Clarkson was 18-for-30 (60.0%) and Potsdam went 19-for-35 (54.3%). The Bears made up for the deficit in percentage by getting to the line a few more times and also having two fewer turnovers than the Knights.

Out of the break, Potsdam scored the first nine points to return the lead to double figures, but the Knights wouldn't let things get away thanks to 3-pointers from Rainville and Aydin Kocak. Clarkson tied the game at 58-58 on a Braeden Burns layup, and from that point on, the teams exchanged leads for the next 12 minutes. Clarkson would edge out to as many as four late, and led by three in the final minutes after Ryan Miles-Ferguson hit a pair of free throws, but a Shaheed Alcide layup-and-one tied the game with 23 seconds to go. Clarkson came up empty in its final possession, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra session, Potsdam had the early lead, but a Jack Dalgety 3-pointer, his first points of the game, put the Knights in the lead. A put-back by Finn Cork gave the Knights a three-point advantage. Just a moment later, Cork was whistled for his fifth foul, allowing the Bears to tie the contest at 97-97. Ryan Miles-Ferguson then hit a layup to put the Knights back up, and two more free throws from Braeden Burns returned Clarkson's margin to four. Potsdam got back to within two twice, but Burns hit two free throws with nine seconds to go, and the Bears' final possession was short, allowing Clarkson to escape with the win.

Finn Cork scored a career-best 34 points, the most by a Clarkson player since January 2018 when Liam Ellis scored 36 against Vassar College. Cork shot 14-for-20 from the floor and also added in 15 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end. Despite foul trouble of his own, Ryan Miles-Ferguson scored 20 points on 6-for-9 shooting, and Braeden Burns added in 19 points. Frankie Rainville also scored 13 for the Knights.

For Potsdam, Jeff Williamson made five 3-pointers and was 10-for-17 overall for 30 points. Shaheed Alcide also had 17 points as one of four others in double figures for the Bears. MeSean Johnson was one of those in double figures, scoring 10 to go along with 12 assists and four steals.