01/31/2009
Babson Spoils Men's Basketball Senior Day

WORCESTER, MASS. 1/31/09 - Freshman forward Marcus Edwards (East Hampton, N.Y.) had a game-high 16 points to lead Babson College to a 60-49 victory over Clark University in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) mens basketball action on Senior Day at the Kneller Athletic Center.

Prior to today's game, Clark (9-10, 3-4 NEWMAC) recognized seniors Byron Roberts (New Haven, Conn.), Sal DeMarco (Queens, N.Y.) and Peter Normandin (Westminster, Mass.) for their four-year contributions to the program.

Babson, which has won its last two games in conference play, improve to 10-9 overall and 2-5 in the NEWMAC.

Trailing by 13 (24-11), Clark used a 14-4 run over the final 4:17 of the first half to close the gap to within, 28-25. The offensive burst featured back-to-back three-pointers from freshman Brian Vayda (Sturbridge, Mass.) and Roberts, and a pop in the lane by junior Mark Alexander (Providence, R.I.) as time expired.

Behind the shooting of Edwards, who had 12 first half points, Babson took the 28-25 edge into the break.

The game was tied four times in the second half, but Clark was unable to grab more than a four-point lead. Down by one (34-35), Normandin scored five straight points on a three-point play and subsequent lay-up to give the Cougars the 39-35 advantage at the 10:28 mark.

After DeMarco's second-effort shot knotted the score (41-41) for the third time, Clark took its last lead of the game on a jumper by Alexander with 6:33 to play.

The Beavers gradually pulled away with a 7-0 run to build a 48-43 margin, before Clark chipped away at the lead again. After a trey by Roberts rimmed out, junior Reed Powells (Worcester, Mass.) put-back made it a one-point game (47-48) with 2:57 remaining. But the Cougars got no closer. Babson rattled off 12 of the final 14 points of the game, including six points at the charity stripe, to pull out the victory.

The Beavers shot 83.3 percent (10-for-12) from the line in the second half and 75 percent for the game (18-for-24). Clark only visited the line five times (2-for-5) for a 40 percent clip.

Edwards, who connected on 8-of-10 shots from the stripe, was joined by classmate Matt Florio (Skillman, N.J.) in double-figures with 11 points. Senior Zach Etten (Hollis, N.H.) and sophomore Dana Mauro (Wethersfield, Conn.) led Babson on the glass with six boards apiece.

Normandin had 11 points and 11 rebounds to lead Clark. It was his eighth career double-double and second of the year. Alexander finished with 10 points, four assists and three blocks for Clark.

Clark will host WPI on Tuesday (7 p.m.). Babson College will travel to Bowdoin College for a non-conference tilt that same day (7 p.m.).