ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - In a game that featured eight lead changes, eight tie scores, and the largest lead for either team being just seven points, you knew it had to come down to one final shot. 

Unfortunately for Bard, that final shot didn't find the bottom of the net and Clarkson University escaped the Stevenson Athletic Center with a 52-51 win Saturday afternoon.

Joel Wincowski's last second jumper from about seven feet away, hit the left side of the rim, bouncing there for a moment, before falling off the cylinder as the horn sounded. Clarkson's bench erupted with cheers and celebration, as Bard was left more frustrated than ever.

Each team battled all afternoon. The first half was so back and forth that the largest lead of the opening 20 minutes was just four points by Clarkson. At halftime, the Golden Knights led by three, as they clung to a 29-26 advantage. 

Once the second half began, it more of the same as each team traded baskets, keeping the game close. The largest lead of the game took place with 7:18 remaining in the second half, as Drew Zlogar (Clifton Park, NY) nailed a pair of free throws to give Clarkson a 46-39 lead. 

After the free throws, Bard responded with a rally that gave the team its first lead since the opening half. The Raptors took the lead on a three pointer from Wincowski, as the hosts went up by the score of, 48-46, with 3:59 remaining to cap a 9-0 run. 

Over the final minutes of the game, the back and fourth action continued, before Clarkson was able to do just enough offensively to win the game. Bard did have a great chance to steal the victory at the end, but just couldn't find the right shot to secure it. 

The Raptors (2-12, 0-5 Liberty League) played their best defensive game of the season, holding Clarkson to just 52 points, a season-low for points allowed by Bard.

The Golden Knights (8-7, 3-3 Liberty League) shot just 1-14 on three pointers in the game and hit on only 43 percent of their shots. The visitors also lost the rebounding battle, 40-24. While Bard connected on 40 percent of its shots, it lost the turnover battle, 13-8, which made a key difference in such a close game.

The hosts also struggled to stop Clarkson's leading scorer, Derek Hart (Poughkeepsie, NY), who finished with 23 points and nine rebounds. Zlogar chipped in 17 points and seven rebounds for the Golden Knights.

For Bard, the team finished with two players in double-digits, as Chris Lockwood led the way with 11 points. Christopher Rogers added 10 points and seven rebounds. 

Up next for Bard is a trip to Union College, on January 20th. That game will tip-off at 8:00 p.m. and you can follow it right here via Live Stats and Live Video.