Box Score

READING, Pa. - Despite a nine point advantage with about eight minutes to play in the second, the Lions (21-6) were unable to hold on Clark University (17-12) managed to sneak by with 69-67 win to eliminate Albright from the 2010 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball tournament Friday evening in front of 1,313 heartbroken fans.

Proving the biggest factor for Friday's tough loss was Clark's ability to take advantage of the Lions turnovers scoring a total of 27 points. Led by Brian Vayda's double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds, Albright's hot streaking offense was ice cold in the closing minutes of the contest.

Before the late let down, the red and white was un-fire from all parts of the court, with Matt Ashcroft leading the team with 23 points. Conference Player of the Year Zac Shaeffer joined his hot shooting classmate with 18 points on the night. From behind the arc, the duo were 7-for-15, while from the field Ashcroft was 8-for-15, and Shaeffer was 6-for-14. At the line Ashcroft was a perfect 4-for-4, and Shaeffer was 3-for-5.

Sophomore center Derek Hall led the Lions in rebounding with nine boards, and added six points to his line as well. Senior Justin Plummer finished the night with five rebound and four points, and Adam Van Zelst totaled four boards of his own and eight points.

Van Zelst also led the evening in assists with six. As a team Albright shot 50% from the field Friday evening (24-48), and 47.4% from behind the arc (9-19). At the line the Lions were 10-for-13 overall, while Clark managed to shoot 44.6% from the floor (25-56), 21.4% from three-point range (3-14), and 66.7% from the line (16-24).

The visiting Cougars led the night in the rebound category totaling four three more than the host Lions (32-29).

Through most of the first half, Clark controlled the momentum of the first round game. Friday's match-up was the ninth appearance for the Lions in the NCAA tournament, and the 16th for the Cougars.

Clark will now face #21 Randolph-Macon tomorrow evening in the second round game in the Bollman Center at 7 p.m. The Yellow Jackets crushed Cabrini College in the other first round game Friday evening by the final score of 95-66.

Albright's season comes to an end and will graduate three seniors in Plummer, Van Zelst, and Andre Murphy. The Lions will welcome back All-Conference selections Ashcroft and Shaeffer as well as a solid core of veteran players, who have gained tremendous experience throughout their 21 win season.