ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Juniata men's basketball team fell 70-66 to Clarkson (7-1) in its first game of the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa Invitational at St. John Fisher College Saturday night.  The Eagles dropped to 8-3 with the loss.

Junior Brian Scholly (State College, Pa./State College) finished with a game-high 28 points after hitting 7-of-10 from behind the arch to tie a career-high.  This is the third time this season he has made five or more three's in a single-game.  Senior Alex Raymond (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Altoona) rounded out the Eagles in double-digits.  He shot 5-for-9 from the floor and finished with four assists.

The Eagles led by as much as 13 in the first half.  Clarkson came out of the break on fire, tying the game three times before finally taking the lead on a layup with 2:17 to play.  Juniata pulled back within two, 68-66, after junior Jeremy Hays (McMechen, W. Va./John Marshall) stole the ball and scored a layup with 52 seconds on the clock.

With less than 30 seconds left, Juniata had an opportunity to tie the game but missed two shots before turning the ball over with seven seconds to play. Clarkson held on for the win and advanced to the invites winners bracket.

The Eagles next game in the tournament is tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m.  Juniata will face the loser of the St. John Fisher and Baruch game that tipped off at 8 p.m. tonight.  It will be the first time Juniata has faced either school in its history.

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