Slow start leads to 98-62 defeat to MidAmerica Nazarene
DUBUQUE, Iowa – With only a couple games left in the season, the Clarke University men's basketball team struggled in a 98-62 loss Saturday evening in the Kehl Center.
The Pioneers began the first 20 minutes of play on a 19-2 scoring run, where the Pride didn't get their first bucket until five minutes had past. The Pioneers would balloon their lead up to as much as 39 points in a first half where they would shoot 21-37 (56.8%) from the field and 8-13 (61.5%) from three.
Caleb-Jones McCrary led the way for Pioneers as he would record a double-double after the first half, putting up 14 points and snagging 10 boards. Jake Alexander and Ed Wright had strong first halves for MidAmerica Nazarene, as they both scored 12 and 11 respectfully.
The second half saw a different Pride team come out of the locker room as they would only lose the final 20 minutes by three points after shooting significantly better from the floor, including improving their 9% three-point shooting in the first half up to 33.3% in the second.
The Pioneers won the shooting battle with a 51.4% shooting percentage compared to the Pride's 37.1% and dominated on the boards, snagging 50 compared to the Pride's 28. The better rebounding numbers led to a 17-4 advantage in second-chance opportunities where the Pioneers had a 12 point edge in the painted area.
MidAmerica Nazarene had five players in double-figures as McCrary would finish with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Wright scored 21 on 5-7 (71.4%) from deep. Alexander scored 15 on 8-13 (62%) shooting. Mehki Elmore and Kobe Reese would net 13 and 10, respectfully.
Leading the way for the Pride would be the seniors Anthony Eddy and Chandler Dean as they both would score 13 points. Eddy would do most of his work from the outside, hitting a trio of three's and Dean would go to work in the paint shooting 4-9 (44.4%) for the game.
Up next for the Clarke University men's basketball team will a Wednesday night trip to Peru, Nebraska for a 7:30 pm tipoff.