Pride show toughness in 73-70 loss to Peru State

DUBUQUE, Iowa – In a Saturday afternoon thriller, the Clarke University men's basketball team came up just short in a 73-70 loss against conference opponent Peru State.

A closely contested game throughout saw the Pride down 69-59 with 4:16 left to play in regulation before the Pride would go on an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to pull within a point, led by junior Chris Burnell and senior Chandler Dean who scored nine of their 11 points during said run.

After a Burnell jump shot made the score 71-70 in favor of the Bobcats, the ensuing Bobcat possession was stolen by Burnell and the Pride would have multiple opportunities at the basket to take the lead, however the Bobcat defenders were able to stand their ground and takeover possession with 10 seconds remaining.

After a pair of Bobcat free throws made the score 73-70, the Pride would get one final chance as Anthony Eddy received the inbound and took a fadeaway three-point attempt, which fell off the rim as time expired.

The Pride allowed the Bobcats to shoot 52% from the floor, but they did hold the Bobcats well under their 87 points per game average for the season. Both teams finished the game shooting 37.5% from three and the Pride shot 41.7% from the floor.

The Pride had four players in double-figure scoring as Eddy led with 15 points and added four rebounds. Dean finished with 14 points on a near-perfect 6-7 from the floor. Burnell also had 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Off the bench, Lajarrion Spinks added 14 points, as he went a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw stripe.

When asked about the game, coach Jim Blaine said, "Can't ask for any more from our guys. We've improved so much on defense, which kept us in the game today. We're coming together as a group."

The Pride men's basketball team will finish out their three-game homestand with William Penn Monday evening at 7:30 pm CST.