The Clark University Cougars outlasted the #11 nationally ranked WPI to become NEWMAC champs on Saturday, March 1. In an exhilarating battle hosted at WPI’s home court, Harrington Auditorium, the Cougars completed the upset with a final score of 80-65.
Although the crowd of 1200 was packed with home court white, an uproarious sea of scarlet clad Clark fans made themselves known amongst the noise.
WPI showed their strength early, creating a 17-8 lead for themselves with 12 minutes left in the half. Clark ignored the noise, however, and knotted the score at 23-23 with five minutes in the half. This was achieved by an avalanche of three point shots by Sophomore Quentin Pridgen, who knocked down five consecutive three pointers in the half without a miss. Each shot that rained down left the WPI fans a little more disquieted, and made the Clark fans even louder.
The two schools clashed back and forth, extending a lead, just for the other to go on a run and tie the game once more. Clark’s energetic defensive pressure and rebounding allowed them to use their tried and tested offense to push the lead all the way to 14 with ten minutes left in the game. WPI got back into the fight and went on to cut the lead to just three, but clutch layups by Senior Kekoa McArdle and Pridgen held the Engineers back.
With just three minutes left to play, you could feel the excitement brewing from the Clark student section, and from the well-deserving players. WPI had to foul over and over to extend the possible possessions, but Clark just kept hitting the free throws. By the time the clock struck one minute, the game was sealed for the Cougars. With 30 seconds left, the Engineers let the Cougars dribble the ball out and celebrate their victory. Cheers erupted from the fans as some streamed onto the court.
With this victory, the Cougars win their first NEWMAC Championship in 15 years, and add a 17th appearance in the NCAA D3 Tournament to their belt. Senior Bruce Saintilus was named Most Outstanding Player for the tournament overall. Excitement radiated from the team as they physically held themselves back as the trophy was handed to them by Clark’s own athletic director, Trish Cronin.
The following Saturday, March 7, Clark University was matched up with Keene State and took a 68-77 loss in the first round. McArdle reached a landmark 1,000 career points in this match. While it was close all game, it slipped away from the Cougars, operating without key player Graduate Jordan Richard, who shot above 40% from three this season. This ends their season, and while many of their heavy hitters graduate this year, there is some great new blood on this team, who have tasted victory, and will surely hunt for more.
Congratulations on an amazing run, and a great season. Roll Cougs!
