Potsdam, NY - In a game marred by fouls and turnovers, Potsdam State won ugly against the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team, 76-62, to take the Casella Waste Services North Country Invitational Championship Saturday afternoon at Maxcy Hall.

The Golden Knights dropped to 2-1 overall, while Potsdam moved to 2-1 with the win. Clarkson takes on Plattsburgh State next Tuesday at Memorial Hall in Plattsburgh, NY.

Early on, things appeared normal for both teams as Potsdam took to the inside game and drove to the basket for high-percentage buckets. The Bears shot 59.3 percent (16-for-27) from the floor in the first half. While Clarkson didn't convert as many of its inside chances, going 13-for-29 from the field (44.8 percent), the Knights were able to get to the free throw line with their cutting drives, shooting 8-for-9 from the line. After a late basket by the Bears, the two teams went into the locker room knotted up at 36-36.

The second half was not as kind to the Knights, as the once friendly rims of Maxcy Hall ceased to be as accomodating on numerous bounces. Clarkson struggled from the floor in the second half (8-for-22), going scoreless from the 3-point line in seven chances, and turned the ball over 11 times. Meanwhile, Potsdam's offense continued to click at 57.1 percent (12-for-21) and the Bears went to the free throw line 23 times, compared to just three times in the first half.

Junior Elson Pickering (Brooklyn, NY) finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks for Clarkson, while junior Brandon Linton (Queens, NY) added in 10 points and three assists before fouling out. Damon Brown scored 17 to lead the Bears.

Keith Murray (Queens, NY) and Brian Salanger (Syracuse, NY) were each selected to the All-Tournament team.