Eddy's 25 second-half points lift Pride to their first victory

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Wrapping up the Clarke Classic, the Clarke University men's basketball team pulled out their first win of the 2023 season after an 83-67 victory over Judson University Friday afternoon.

Scoring 25 of his 28 points in the second half, senior Anthony Eddy tied the school record with eight three-pointers made, shooting 8-14 (57.1%) from beyond the arc and 10-18 (55.5%) from the floor. Eddy hit eight three-pointers in a game last season against Viterbo where he went for 38 points in a 94-87 win.

The Pride had three other players in double figures as Biggie Luster scored 13 points, Jake Layman scored 12, and Rob Chaney chipped in 10, with eight coming from the free throw line. Layman finished two rebounds short, and Luster was two assists shy of a double-double. Luster and Chaney each added six rebounds apiece for the Pride.

Building up a lead to as much as eight points, Clarke would go into halftime up six at 33-27 as Luster carried the scoring load with 10 points. For Judson, senior Anterrious Rhyan finished the first half scoring 13 points on 4-8 (50%) shooting.

The second half would belong to Eddy and the Pride as they would build up their lead to as much as 18 points just over halfway through regulation.

The Eagles saw themselves down 56-73 with 4:43 remaining and began to create turnovers and inefficient possessions for the Pride, leading them to an 11-3 run to cut the lead down to 67-76 with 2:21 to play.

Judson would run out of time and gas giving the Pride their first win of the 2023 campaign.

When asked about today's victory, Pride Head Coach Jim Blaine said, "Good event for us. We learned a lot about ourselves today and (we) bounced back from a hard loss last night." Blaine continued, "We're better for having played these 85 minutes as we figure out how all the pieces fit together."

Having two players in double-figures, Judson's offensive leaders were Rhyan's 19 points and Javaris Wiggins' 15 points. 

Clarke shot 46.8% from the floor and 39.3% from three compared to Judson's 36.4% from the field and 14.3% from deep.

The Pride men's basketball team will hit the road to play at Viterbo University on Nov. 1st, beginning at 7:00 P.M. CST.