News Release

WORCESTER, MA — Springfield Defeats Clark 67-52 In NEWMAC Action

In a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference contest, Springfield College defeated Clark University men’s basketball 67-52. Trailing by one with just over eight minutes to go in the first half after a three-pointer by Clark’s sophomore Cory Szklarz (Worcester, MA/St. Peter Marian), Springfield went on a 13-1 to take an 11-point lead with 2:44 to go in the first half. The Pride’s sophomore Damian Farley (Natick, MA/Natick-Bridgton) made two free-throws with nine seconds left before intermission to take a nine-point, 32-25 lead into the locker room. The Cougars tied the game at 46-46 at the 9:52 mark in the second half after a layup by first-year Pat Landers (Worcester, MA/St. John’s). Springfield answered with an 11-1 run over the next six and half minutes capped by 1-of-2 free throws by junior Derek Yvon (E. Longmeadow, MA/Cathedral) to take a comfortable 10-point lead. After a jumper by Springfield’s junior Joel Aponte (Windsor, CT/Windsor) to make the score 59-49, Szklarz answered with a three-pointer to pull the Cougars within seven points with just over two minutes remaining in the contest. Springfield held Clark scoreless the rest of the way outscoring the Cougars 8-0 over the last two minutes of the game including 4-of-4 free throws for the 15-point victory. Senior Jason O’Tash (Alfred, ME/Massabesic) led the Pride with a game-high 15 points and 10 rebounds. He was 6-for-10 from the floor including 3-for-5 from long range. Yvon chipped in 13 points while Aponte ended the game with 12 points for Springfield. Junior Tim Dutille (Sunappe, NH/Lebanon) led the Cougars with 14 points and 11 rebounds to record his second double-double in three games. First-year Pat Ochoa (Springfield, MA/Commerce) made 4-of-5 three-pointers to chip in 12 points for the Cougars while classmate Landers had another solid night off the bench with eight points and eight rebounds. Springfield improved to 17-5 and 7-2 in the conference. Clark fell to 7-14 overall and 3-7 in the conference and will travel to MIT on Saturday, February 12 for a 2:00 pm start.