Potsdam, NY – The three starting guards for the Clarkson University Men’s Basketball team each reached double figures, scoring 43 of the team’s points in a 69-57 victory over Rensselaer Friday night at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights moved to 14-10 overall and 5-8 in conference games, and will close out the regular season tomorrow against Vassar College. Rensselaer moved to 13-11 overall and 7-6 in conference games. Clarkson is still alive in the Liberty League post-season, but needs help getting in to defend its crown from 2007-08.

Rensselaer started off the contest by going to all-star Sam Simmons, but the Knights mixed up his looks with three different defenders and started to slow him down. Once Simmons picked up his third foul midway through the half, the Knights were able to push their already substantial lead into double figures, first getting to a 10-point lead with just under five minutes to go in the half. With less than three minutes to go, a lay up from senior Ryan Smith (Niagara Falls, NY) gave Clarkson a 16-point advantage, 37-21. However, the Red Hawks would narrow the lead to 11 with a 5-0 run to end the half.

The Knights shot 48.1 percent (13-for-27) from the field, but held Rensselaer to just 27.3 percent shooting (6-for-22. The Red Hawks were able to stay in the game thanks to a solid performance from the free throw line, making 14 of the 17 attempts.

Senior Brian Salanger (Syracuse, NY) led all scorers with eight points in the first half, with Brandon Linton (Queens, NY) adding in seven more. Eric Anderson came off the bench to lead Rensselaer with six, and Simmons added five points in eight minutes of action.

In the second half, with a fresh Simmons, Rensselaer made a series of runs thanks to his fall-away jumpers, but the Knights always had an answer from their guards as Salanger, Linton, and Keith Murray (Queens, NY) took turns in stopping the streaks. The three guards made outside shots and driving lay ins to always keep the Red Hawks at least two possessions out of the Knights’ reach.

Salanger finished with 17 points leading the Knights, and Linton was close behind with 16 points, going 5-for-6 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Murray also had a solid all-around game with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.

For Rensselaer, Simmons finished with 22 points, going 9-for-15 from the floor. Eric Anderson finished with 12 points, shooting 4-for-6 from the field.