Junior center Craig Coupe (Niskayuna, N.Y.) played all 40 minutes and totaled 10 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocked shots to lead the Trinity College Bantams to a 72-67 win over the visiting Clark University Cougars in men’s basketball action this evening at Oosting Gymnasium. Trinity, ranked No. 10 in the nation, improves to 18-1 with its fourth straight win, while the Cougars drop to 11-7 with their first loss in four games.
Trailing, 36-22, at the half, Trinity used a 27-12 run to take its first lead of the game, 49-48, on a three-pointer from the left wing by freshman guard Patrick Hasiuk (Enfield, Conn.) midway through the second half. Clark sophomore center Tim Dutille (Lebanon, N.H.) scored the next four points to put the Cougars, but the Bantams tied the score again at 52-52 on a traditional three-point play by freshman forward Robert Taylor (Dorchester Center, Mass.). Trinity finally pulled ahead in the final minutes, outscoring Clark, 12-7, over the final 5:30.
In the first half, Clark sprinted out to an 11-4, lead, and led by 14 at the half, as the Bantams shot just 24.2 percent from the field (8-33) over the first 20 minutes. Clark outrebounded the Bantams, 25-16, in the first half, while Dutille and senior tri-captain guard David McNamara (Worcester, Mass.) each scored 10 points.
Trinity senior tri-captain guard Shaun Smyth (Manchester, Conn.) and sophomore forward Tyler Rhoten (Ridgewood, N.J.) each scored 15 points, while Rhoten added eight rebounds. Junior tri-captain guard John Halas (White Plains, N.Y.) totaled 12 points, five boards, and three steals, and junior tri-captain guard Jesse Farrell (Minneapolis, Minn.) distributed seven assists for the Bantams. Dutille led all scorers with 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while McNamara had 15 points and five assists, and senior tri-captain forward Trevor Brown (Milford, Mass.) notched 13 points and five rebounds. Senior guard Mark Stukowski (Rutland, Mass.) added eight assists and five boards for the Cougars.
Clark (11-7) 36-31--67
Trinity, Conn. (18-1) 22-50--72