CU Men's Basketball Preview - at St. Lawrence University (1/27)

Senior Dylan Hodownes has averaged 11.7 points per game in the team's last three games. - Photo by Gary Mikel

It has been more than a decade since the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team was in first place in the Liberty League this late in the season and the Golden Knights look to maintain that status after Tuesday's tilt at St. Lawrence University.

LIVE STATS: http://sidearmstats.com/stlawu/mbball/

LIVE VIDEO: http://saintsathletics.com/sports/2013/11/18/MBB_1118132445.aspx

The Golden Knights are 13-3 overall and 6-1 in the Liberty League, their best start to a season since the 1934-35 season. Clarkson swept St. Lawrence, 9-7 overall and 4-4 in conference, in last year's two-game set.

Clarkson has the top defense in the Liberty League, allowing only 58.8 points per game, including a 52.8 rate during its four-game winning streak. The Knights also rank in the top three in the conference in field goal defense (39.6%), 3-point field goal defense (29.7%) and steals (6.9 spg). Clarkson's offense and defense have worked phenomenally well during its four-game winning streak. In each of those games, Clarkson has enjoyed at least a 15-point lead and on three occasions the Knights have doubled up their opponents while scoring 40 or more points in the first half.

While the wins weren't quite as impressive, St. Lawrence also enjoyed a sweep last weekend and has won three of its past four in conference games. The Saints are in the middle of the pack on offense with 66.4 ppg and the team shoots 74.0% from the free throw line, which ranks second in the league, which helps alleviate a less than stellar performance from the 3-point line (29.7%, 8th in Liberty League). Brady Condlin leads the Saints in scoring, averaging 15.4 ppg, which is fifth in the Liberty League, and field goal percentage at 49.1%. Willie Zachary is the top performer in the conference from the free throw line, shooting 90.0%, and averages 13.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Kyle Kobis also chips in 9.6 points per contest.

Clarkson's offense has been diverse as of late thanks to its lopsided victories, but John Coleman still leads the conference in scoring average (17.8 ppg) and field goal percentage (55.5%). The senior guard surpassed the 1500-point mark for his career this past weekend and is within striking distance of the all-time scoring mark in program history. Junior Felix Abongo had a strong weekend despite playing just 22.5 minutes per game, and averages 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Senior guards Charles McAllister and Dylan Hodownes have produced nearly identical statistics this year, with McAllister leading the conference in assists at 4.6 per game. Hodownes averages 3.9 assists per game, and the duo has combined to produce 16.2 points per contest.

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Players Mentioned

#33 Felix Abongo: G; 6' 4"; Junior

#22 John Coleman: F; 6' 4"; Senior

#12 Dylan Hodownes: G; 5' 11"; Senior

#24 Charles McAllister: G; 6' 0"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#33 Felix Abongo
: 6' 4"; Junior
: G

#22 John Coleman
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F

#12 Dylan Hodownes
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G

#24 Charles McAllister
: 6' 0"; Senior
: G