CU Men's Basketball Preview - at St. Lawrence (2/17)

Men's Basketball 2/15/2016 4:00:00 PM February 15, 2016

CU Men's Basketball Preview - at St. Lawrence (2/17)

After two straight years in the Liberty League playoffs, the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team finds itself in the role of spoiler this week when it takes on St. Lawrence on Wednesday evening.

The Golden Knights were eliminated from playoff contention this weekend following losses to Hobart College and RIT, falling to 8-15 overall and 5-9 in the Liberty League. St. Lawrence solidified its place among the conference's contenders, but the Saints still have a shot at the top spot in the league with a 13-9 overall mark and 9-5 record in conference play.

Clarkson enjoyed one of its best shooting performances of the season against St. Lawrence in mid-January, hitting a season-high nine 3-pointers and shooting 52.8% from the floor overall, the second-best figures on the season and best showing in league play. That 74-72 win at Alumni Gymn for the Knights came in large part to a career-high 29 points from Conrad Zampier, who shot 10-for-15 from the field with five 3-pointers. Zampier is averaging 10.9 points per game, one of three Clarkson players that rank in the top 20 in the conference in scoring. Senior Felix Abongo is averaging 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, making him one of only two players in the conference to rank in the top 12 in those three categories. Derek Hart is also chipping in 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, while shooting 56.9% from the floor, the second-best figure in the league. Like Zampier, Drew Zlogar also produced a solid shooting performance against the Saints in the first go-round between the two teams, scoring 14 points, more than five better than his 8.7 ppg average.

Despite splitting the last two weekend, St. Lawrence has won six of its last eight contests to emerge as a regular-season conference title contender. The Saints are currently in a three-way tie for first and are looking to earn a home court first round playoff game. St. Lawrence ranks in the top three in the Liberty League in scoring (72.4 ppg), field goal percentage (43.8%) and 3-point field goal percentage (34.8%). Kyle Edwards is second in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage at 43.5% with 47 makes from beyond the arc. He also ranks in the top in the league in scoring (15.1 ppg) and assists (3.1 apg). Riley Naclerio had a team-high 17 points in the first meeting between St. Lawrence and Clarkson, and he averages 11.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Also tossing in 17 for the Saints on January 12th was Willie Zachery, who averages 10.8 ppg but is better known for his distribution with 3.5 assists per game, the second-best figure in the league. Ben Crawford also is averaging better than double figures with 11.2 ppg.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Felix Abongo: G; 6' 4"; Senior

#42 Derek Hart: F; 6' 7"; Junior

#23 Conrad Zampier: G; 6' 1"; Junior

#21 Drew Zlogar: F; 6' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#14 Felix Abongo
: 6' 4"; Senior
: G

#42 Derek Hart
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

#23 Conrad Zampier
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G

#21 Drew Zlogar
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F