Potsdam, NY - While the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team scored 96 points, the highest total in the past 77 games, the Golden Knights were unable to defeat the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in the opening round of the North Country Invitational Coaches vs. Cancer, falling 102-96 Friday night at Maxcy Hall.

Clarkson will face either Hilbert or Potsdam State in the consolation game of the tournament at 2:00 pm Saturday afternoon.

Clarkson started off the first half on a high-scoring pace with 53 points in the first 20 minutes. The Knights shot 68.8 percent from the floor, including 72.7 percent from beyond the 3-point arc, in the first half with junior Chet Truskowski (Hammond, NY) leading the way with 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting. However, the Trailblazers made six 3-point baskets and made 10 free throws and trailed by just five at the half.

With a double-digit lead midway through the second half, the Golden Knights appeared to be pulling away, but MCLA quickly came back with a streak of 3-point baskets that tied the game at 81-81. The Trailblazers didn't slow down and finished the game shooting 15-for-27 from the 3-point arc to come away with a six-point win.

Sophomore Jon Youngmann (Corinth, NY) was the Knights' top scorer, finishing with 27 points along with 13 rebounds. Youngmann shot 12-for-21 from the floor and was 3-for-4 from the 3-point line. Truskowski finished with 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting while sophomore EJ Harrison (Troy, NY) scored 19 points and was 6-for-11 from the floor. Senior point guard Matt Decker (Whitney Point, NY) added seven assists.

Five players scored in double figures for the Trailblazers, led by Robert Mitchell's 26. Thad Broughton added 23 points, including 9-for-11 shooting from the foul line.

Clarkson shot 55.6 percent from the floor for the game was 55 percent from the 3-point line, but finished only 5-for-9 from the foul line. MCLA shot 19-for-26 from the free throw line for the game. The Trailblazers were whistled for seven fouls while the Golden Knights were called for 19.