PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Sophomores Taylor Durnin (Lyon Mountain, N.Y. / Northern Adirondack) and Frannie Merkel (Brewster, N.Y. / Brewster) each scored 14 points in the Plattsburgh State women's basketball 64-59 loss to Clarkson University Saturday evening in the Cardinal Classic Consolation game in Memorial Hall.

The Cardinals drop to 0-2 to open their season while Clarkson moved to 2-1.

Plattsburgh State led by four after a three-pointer from junior guard Bella DePasquale (Ardsley, N.Y. / Ardsley), and two free throws by Durnin but the Golden Knights went on a 15-point run to come back and take a 10 point lead.

The Cardinals were able to cut their lead to only three points by the end of the first quarter and headed into the second down 19-16.

A layup by Merkel to start the second put Plattsburgh State within one point of the lead. DePasquale put in another 3-pointer to tie the game 24-24 and the Golden Knights came back with two free throws. Durnin tied the game again with two free throws and Clarkson added one more point to their side with a free throw.

Two layups by Durnin and Merkel put Plattsburgh State over Clarkson by three with less than two minutes remaining. The Golden Knights retaliated with two layups to take a one point lead but Merkel made a basket in the final seconds to put Plattsburgh State up 32-31 at halftime.

The third quarter was a back and forth affair each team taking a small lead and the other closing in. Clarkson out-scored Plattsburgh State 15-13 to head into the final quarter up 46-45.

The Cardinals took a two point lead after a three-pointer by junior guard Anna Thompson (Poughkeepsie, N.Y. / Spackenkill) but Clarkson countered with a three-pointer and a layup. A free throw by sophomore forward Taylor Clare (Peekskill, N.Y. / Peekskill) and a layup by freshman guard/forward Lauren Lawliss (Peru, N.Y. / Peru) tied the game 53-53.

Two three-pointers by the Golden Knights put them up by six and freshman guard Theresa Quinn (Cromwell, Conn. / Cromwell) made a layup to come within four.

Another three-pointer put Clarkson up by seven and Durnin cut it to five. The Golden Knights made two free throws and Merkel ended the game with a jumper to keep the final score to five points.

Plattsburgh State out-rebounded Clarkson 39-38.

Thompson recorded nine points including two three-pointers. Clare had eight points, six rebounds and accounted for all of the Cardinals blocks (4). Merkel recorded seven rebounds to go along with her 14 points and Durnin picked up six.

Plattsburgh State is home Tuesday, Nov. 28, to host St. Lawrence at 5:30 p.m.