Potsdam, NY – Junior Brandon Siskavich scored 24 points, shooting a flawless 5-for-5 from the 3-point line, to lead Potsdam State to a 71-51 victory over the Clarkson University Men’s Basketball team in the Casella Waste Services North Country Tip-Off Classic Championship game on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.
The Golden Knights saw their record evened at 1-1 overall while the Bears improved to 2-0. Clarkson returns to action following the Thanksgiving holiday on the road against Hilbert College and RIT.
The defenses played one another tough in the opening minutes and it wasn’t until there was about nine minutes remaining that Potsdam started to take control. Leading 14-11 at 8:30, the Bears went on a 10-0 run in the next minute thanks to 3-pointers and free throws. From that point on, Potsdam would hold at least a double-digit lead for the remainder of the half, extending the advantage to 15 by the half.
Junior Brandon Siskavich scored 10 points, shooting 3-for-6 from the field, and added four rebounds for the Bears. Nikolai Marquis (Irvington, NJ) led the Golden Knights with nine points, shooting 3-for-4 from beyond the 3-point arc. Elson Pickering (Brooklyn, NY) added in 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The most telling statistic of the first half was Clarkson’s 15 turnovers, compared to just seven by Potsdam.
In the second half, the Knights tried to claw their way back into the contest, but the Bears maintained their defensive pressure and continued to get open looks from the 3-point arc. Siskavich was named the tournament’s MVP with 24 points and 7 rebounds, converting 14 of his points in the second half. Anthony Williams, Jr., also named to the all-tournament team, picked up 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.
Pickering finished the game with a double-double, scoring 13 points to go along with 13 rebounds and 4 blocks. Marquis finished with 14 points, making four 3-pointers. Pickering was named to the all-tournament team, along with Ithaca's Sean Lahey and Sean Burton, and Albany College of Pharmacy's Zach Bratek.
