Johnson Scores 24 as Pride Win, 75-72 Over Benedictine

ATCHISON, Kan. – Keith Johnson scored 15 second half points to help snap a two-game losing streak with a back-and-forth 75-72 victory over Benedictine College on Saturday.

Johnson scored 24 points for Clarke (11-11 overall, 6-7 Heart), marking the eighth time this season the hometown senior scored 20 or more in a game. Johnson was seven-of-12 shooting, including three-of-six from behind the arc, while also connecting on seven-of-eight free throw attempts in 39 minutes of play.

Jacob Fierst added in 18 points and seven rebounds, while Chandler Dean pitched in 13 points of his own. As a team, Clarke shot 41.1 % (23-56) from the field, including 76.6% (23-30) from the charity stripe.

The Pride jumped out to a 12-5 lead through the game's first four minutes after a hot start by Fierst, who scored an early eight points on three-of-four shooting and two free throws. The Ravens (13-9, 7-6) battled their way back into the game after a 17-5 run to lead it 22-20 with 7:25 to play. The Pride managed to stay within four points the rest of the first half before heading into the break down two, 36-34.

Benedictine stretched its lead to seven after Nysir Scott scored on a layup off of a turnover by Biggie Luster with 14:23 to play in the second half. The Ravens held on to their lead up until the 4:44 mark when Anthony Eddy hit a jumper to put Clarke ahead for the first time since the 7:25 mark in the first hafl. 

The two teams exchanged baskets over the following two minutes before coming to a tie at 66-66 with 2:18 to play. On the ensuing Pride possession, Johnson was fouled on a three-point attempt and converted on all three of his free throws to go up three with two minutes to play. Two missed three pointers by Benedictine paved the way for Fierst to tack on another two points to push the CU lead to 71-66 with 1:18 to play.

Benedictine's Saxton Thuston went on a personal 4-0 run to trim the deficit to 71-70 with 21 seconds left in regulation. Dean was intentionally fouled on the inbound pass and converted on both of his free throw attempts with 19 seconds left on the clock. Eric Krus put the Ravens back within one after making a layup with nine seconds remaining.

Eddy put the Pride up three after getting fouled on the following inbound pass. Benedictine's final shot came off the hands of Thuston and missed the mark, giving the Pride its fifth road victory of the season.

Thuston led the Ravens with 17 points, while Krus added in 13 points. The Ravens shot 47% (27-58) from the field, 30% (7-23) from three, and 79% (11-14) from the free throw line. The two programs each pulled down 34 rebounds.

Up next, Clarke will continue its road trip when it faces Grand View University on Wednesday, Feb. 2. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.