Union improved to 14-9 overall and 7-5 in the Liberty League. The Golden Knights fell to 5-18 and 2-10. Union remained tied with Hobart, also a victor today, for fourth place in the league standings with two games remaining for each team.
Union guard Chris Murphy (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY/Iona Prep) dished out five assists with 13 points and also had four steals while Brian Scordato (Mt. Kisco, NY/Horace Greeley) added a game high five steals with 12 points for the Dutchmen. Clarkson was led by Erick Vigansky (Kenosha, WI/Tremper), who had 22 points while making eight of nine from the floor and all six free throws. Russ Vitallo (Dracut, MA/Dracut) had a double double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, along with three steals.
The Dutchmen led 31-26 at halftime, and led by as many as 12 in the second half (52-40 with 5:25 remaining). The Golden Knights pulled to within three with a 11-2 run in the next 2:02. Union led by four at 67-63 after Vigansky hit a three-pointer with 10 seconds left, but Cagianello made both free throws after the foul with five seconds left to ice the victory. Clarkson had a 29-27 rebounding edge, and shot 48% for the game, while Union shot 42%.
Union wraps up the regular season with two games on the road, beginning Friday night at Vassar at 8 p.m. Clarkson will host Hobart Friday at 8 p.m.
Clarkson University vs Union 2-11-06 4:00 PM at Viniar Athletic Center, Schenectady, NY At Viniar Athletic Center, Schenectady, NY UNION 69, CLARKSON UNIVERSITY 63 CLARKSON UNIVERSITY (5-18,2-10 Lib.L.) Erick Vigansky 8-9 0-0 22; EJ Harrison 6-12 1-2 15; Russ Vitallo 5-10 3-3 13; Brian Salanger 2-7 1-1 6; Brandon Rigg-Reives 2-6 0-0 5; Ryan Smith 1-1 0-0 2; Erik Storsberg 0-0 0-0 0; Matt Marra 0-0 0-0 0; John Chiero 0-3 0-0 0; Kevin Bolduc 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 24-50 5-6 63. UNION (14-9,7-5 Liberty) John Cagianello 6-13 8-8 23; Chris Murphy 3-5 6-6 13; Brian Scordato 4-11 3-4 12; Steve Madej 2-4 2-3 7; Darcy Bonner 3-5 0-0 6; Drew Desmarais 2-3 0-0 4; Joseph Mackey 0-2 2-2 2; Rob Futia 0-0 1-3 1; Kyle Grimm 0-3 1-2 1; Sean Clancy 0-0 0-0 0; Jim Rahill 0-1 0-0 0; Trip Botsford 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-48 23-28 69. Clarkson University........... 26 37 - 63 Union......................... 31 38 - 69 3-point goals-Clarkson University 10-22 (Erick Vigansky 6-6; EJ Harrison 2-7; Brian Salanger 1-5; Brandon Rigg-Reives 1-4), Union 6-17 (John Cagianello 3-7; Steve Madej 1-2; Brian Scordato 1-4; Chris Murphy 1-3; Jim Rahill 0-1). Fouled out--Clarkson University-None, Union-None. Rebounds-Clarkson University 29 (Russ Vitallo 10), Union 27 (Brian Scordato 6). Assists-Clarkson University 13 (Brandon Rigg-Reives 3; Russ Vitallo 3), Union 10 (Chris Murphy 5). Total fouls-Clarkson University 22, Union 13. A-336