01/19/2008
Men's Basketball Suffers First NEWMAC Loss of Season

Worcester, MA --- Clark University suffered its first NEWMAC loss of the season with a 94-73 defeat to city rival WPI in men's basketball action on Saturday afternoon at Harrington Auditorium.

Four of WPIs five starters scored in double figures led by Jim Marois (Worcester, MA) who had a game-high 22 on six-of-10 shooting, including three-of-four from beyond the arc, as the Engineers improved to 12-4 on the season.

Jerome Kirkland (Boston, MA) also connected on six-of-10 shots from the floor, finishing with 18 points while Antoine Coleman (Everett, MA) added 15 and NT Izuchi (Boston, MA) 10. Izuchi took advantage of a rare start, scoring eight of his 10 points in the first half to help WPI to an 11-point halftime advantage.

Point guard Adam Lirette (Dover, NH) chipped in with 9 points and four assists. In all, 13 different Engineers dented the scoring column.

The Engineers remain undefeated in conference play, improving to 3-0 while Clark, which came into the game winners of five straight and unbeaten in league action, fell to 8-7 and 3-1 in NEWMAC action

WPI never trailed in the game, scoring the first five points and never allowing Clark within four the rest of the first half. The Engineers led by as many as 12 before settling for a 41-30 halftime edge.

Sophomore Slader Lyell (Portsmouth, RI) led the Cougars with 13 points off the bench while Jack Minister (Manchester, England) and D.J. Brinn (Madison, CT) each added 11.

Both teams return to action on Wednesday at 7pm with NEWMAC road contests. WPI ventures to Babson to face the Beavers while Clark travels to Norton to take on Wheaton.

(Courtesy of WPI Sports Information)