Pride's Big First Half Leads to 113-76 Victory

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Clarke University men's basketball team has improved to 5-1 behind an impressive first-half where the Pride led by as many as 29 and went onto defeat Emmaus Bible College 113-76.

Pride senior Chandler Dean scored the first five points of the game and led a 9-0 run to start the game, a lead in which the Pride wouldn't surrender the rest of the contest. The Pride would improve on their lead thanks to a 21-8 run after a Dean made bucket with 12:43 to play in the first. Biggie Luster would make his defensive presence felt with a sequence of back-to-back steals, both leading to Luster getting to the rim for easy lay-ins with seven minutes to go in the half. The Pride would go into the locker room with a 57-31 lead led by Dean's 13 points on 5-7 from the floor.

Senior Jacob Fierst was the Pride's leading scorer tonight as he finished the game with 21 points on 9-14 from the floor. Fierst, coming off his third Heart Player of the Week award of his career, has scored at least 20 points in all six games to begin the 2022 campaign.

Joining the Pride in double-figures, Anthony Eddy was able to hit a pair of threes and finish with 10 points on 4-9 from the floor. Royce Clark and Stef Vasic were bright spots off the bench tonight as they scored 10 and seven points, respectfully.

For EBC, Mitchell Marr had a standout game as he finished with 24 points on 9-15 from the floor. Nye Robinson and Justus McCowan were also in double figures as they scored 13 and 12, respectfully.

The Pride were able to build up their lead in the second half and led by as many as 40 late in the game. The Pride would finish the game shooting 58% from the floor and outrebounding EBC 49-34.

The Pride will play an exhibition game on Tuesday, November 22nd at 7:30 pm CST against the University of Illinois – Springfield. The Pride will stay on the road on November 26th to play Central Methodist for a 4 pm CST tip-off.