01/16/2009
Intra-City Basketball Matchup: Clark to Face WPI on Saturday

WORCESTER, MASS. 1/15/09 - There are two undefeated New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) men's basketball teams in Worcester: Clark University and WPI. After the pair square off at WPI's Harrington Auditorium on Saturday (2 p.m.), only one will remain.

This marks the second consecutive year both teams entered the intra-city matchup unbeaten. Last season, WPI prevailed with a 94-73 victory. The Cougars have not beaten the Engineers since January 7, 2006, when they won, 72-67. However, the series record between the teams is tied 11-11 since joining the NEWMAC in 1998.

Winners of four straight, Clark will enter Saturday's contest 9-5 overall and 3-0 in league play. NEWMAC tested, the Cougars have knocked off Babson College (69-66), defending conference champions Coast Guard Academy (74-64) and Springfield College (72-57) on Wednesday.

After a shaky stretch in December - where WPI dropped two in a row - the Engineers' turnaround has featured three straight wins for an 11-3 (2-0 NEWMAC) mark.

The Cougars are led by the trio of junior Mark Alexander (16.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg), senior Peter Normandin (13.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and junior Jack Minister (10.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg). Ranked fourth in the NEWMAC in scoring, Alexander is on pace to crack the 1,000-point milestone, while Normandin, second in the conference in rebounding, has posted four double-doubles this season. Meanwhile, freshman Brian Vayda (9.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg) has come on to complement their play.

Clark will have to deal with the offensive senior leadership of Jerome Kirkland (10.9 ppg), and sophomores Ben Etten (10.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Jeffrey Robinson (10.6 ppg).

The men's game will help snap a three-team tie atop the NEWMAC standings, as MIT is also undefeated. The Cambridge, Mass., Engineers will travel to Springfield College to try their hand at remaining on top.

On the women's side, Clark (6-8, 2-1 NEWMAC) and WPI (11-4), also unbeaten in conference (3-0), will go head-to-head on Saturday (1 p.m.) at Clark's Kneller Athletic Center.

Clark came away with a much-needed win against Smith College (54-45) on Wednesday, where junior Jillian Camilleri (10.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg) had 19 points and set a new mark for rebounds in a game with 24. The Cougars are also led by senior Sarah Roderigue (12.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and newcomer Ivori Aiken (9.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg).

WPI, which has won its last five games, looks to Serena Dubois (13.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Elle Fontaine (12.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg) to generate offense.

Earlier this season, Clark beat WPI by one (46-45) at the Worcester City Tournament.