Pride Fall 54-45 Against Graceland

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Coming off a four-point loss in their first conference game of the season, the Clarke University men's basketball team were unable to snap their losing streak in a 54-45 defeat against Graceland University in the Kehl Center.

The story of the night was missed shots on both ends of the court as the Pride and Yellow Jackets would have three field-goals apiece halfway through the first half. The Pride defense forced the Jackets into seven first half turnovers and only allowed them to shoot 25% from the floor.

Junior point guard, Chris Burnell made his return after missing the previous three games gave the Pride a 35-33 lead after a made three, which came in the middle of a quick 9-2 run after freshman guard Rob Chaney came down a buried a three to pull the Pride within a point. Shortly after the Jackets evened the score at 35 apiece, Biggie Luster would hit the Pride's third straight from deep to give the Pride the 38-35 advantage. The Pride would only be able to muster five more points for the remainder of the half as the Jackets would go on a 19-5 run that would take the final 9:30 of play.

Anthony Eddy led the way in points for the Pride as he finished with 12 on 5-12 from the floor and 2-7 from deep. Biggie Luster would finish with a double-double as he scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Pride's defense would be a bright spot tonight as they compiled six blocks and five steals while forcing the Jackets into shooting 36% from the floor and 22% from three.

When asked about the game, Clarke University men's basketball coach Jim Blaine said, "(We) played hard. Competed. When you shoot poorly it always looks worse than it is." Blaine would continue, "Best defensive effort of the year. (We can) build on that."

The Clarke University men's basketball team will hit the road for the next three contests as they will head to Olathe, Kansas on December 3rd for a 4 pm tip-off against MidAmerica Nazarene University