Second Half Stumble Leads to 80-68 Loss to McPherson

McPherson, Kan. – Looking to start their weekend tournament off on a good note, the Clarke University men's basketball team were unable to hand McPherson College their first loss of the season in an 80-68 defeat.

The Pride had a strong start to the contest, building up three different seven-point leads that eventually led to the Pride leading 35-30 at the break.

Three minutes into the second-half, after a Chandler Dean made three, the Pride were up 43-38 when their lead would slip away. The Bulldogs would go on a 13-0 run that would take up over four minutes of game time. A couple of Chris Burnell made jumpers had the Pride within a point, trailing 50-51, however that would be as close as the Pride would get the rest of the evening as the Bulldogs pulled away and outscored the Pride 50-33 in the second half.

Jacob Fierst led the way for the Pride with 21 points on 8-15 from the floor and added four rebounds. Chandler Dean (10) and Lajarrion Spinks (10) both finished in double figures. They helped the Pride shoot 48% from the floor and 45% from three.

For the Bulldogs, they finished with four scorers in double figures. Antonio Watson (14), Yaniel Vidal (13), Charles Snyder (12), and Christian Aguillard (10). The Bulldogs forced the Pride into 20 turnovers, which led to 24 points for the home team.

"McPherson played a tremendous game. They outworked, outplayed, outcoached us. Question now is how do we respond," Blaine said. "Tomorrow is less about winning and losing and more about discovering who we're going to be."

Clarke men's basketball will have a quick turnaround to prepare for the second day of the Bulldog Classic in McPherson, Kansas as they play Bethel College tomorrow at 2 pm CST.