01/09/2008
Men's Basketball Beats Babson, 60-52

WORCESTER, MASS. 10/06/07  Sophomore Mark Alexander (Providence, R.I.) had 22 points to lead the Clark University mens basketball team to a 60-52 come-from-behind victory over Babson College in the New England Womens and Mens Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener at the Kneller Athletic Center on Wednesday night.

Clark improves to 6-6 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while Babson falls to 3-9 (0-1 NEWMAC).

Alexander gave Clark its first lead (36-35) since the opening minutes with a basket at the 10:26 mark of the second half. The two teams traded buckets over a 2:23 stretch until Chris Bradleys (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) lay-up knotted the score at 41-all with 7:45 remaining.

The Cougars went on an 8-3 spurt, with six points from the charity stripe, for a 49-44 advantage at 5:22. Babson pulled to within three on four occasions, with the final time (52-55) coming on Kyle McDonalds (Wethersfield, Conn.) lay-in with 1:34 remaining. The Beavers had a chance to bring the game within two, but McDonalds missed free throw was grabbed by Alexander. On the other end, senior D.J. Brinn (Madison, Conn.) drained a long-range three pointer for a 58-52 lead. Clark, which shot 68.8 % from the stripe, scored the next two points at the line to account for the final score.

In the first half, Babson raced out to a 14-8 lead on a jumper from Greg Bush (East Islip, N.Y.) at the 11:05 mark. Clark rallied to get within one (15-16) on a three-pointer from Alexander. However, the Beavers eventually pulled ahead by as many as 10 (25-15) and led 25-18 at the break.

Alexander was the only double-figure scorer for Clark. Peter Normandin (Westminster, Mass.) pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.

McDonald paced Babson with 17 points, while Zach Etten (Hollis, N.H.) chipped in with 12. Bradley and Bush had nine boards apiece to lead the Beavers, who held a slim 42-38 edge on the glass.

Clark will travel to Coast Guard Academy for a 1 p.m. tilt on Saturday. Babson will host MIT that same day at 2 p.m.