Leicester, Mass. – Junior forward Markus Wright had a double-double 16 points and 12 rebound in just 24 minutes as Becker College overpowered Clark University 82-58  in men's non-conference basketball action on Thursday evening. 

In addition to Wright, Terrance Favors had a game-high 18 points and Rajai Leggett and Trae Jacobs poured in 15 points apiece.

The Hawks controlled the first half and held a 39-26 halftime lead. The Hawks led quickly 6-0 right out of the gates, as Leggett and Favors each tallied three points.  Clark baskets by Brian Vayda (Sturbridge, Mass.) and Jonathan Phillips (Shrewsbury, Mass.) cut the lead to 6-5.

Still leading by one later in the half Becker went on a 13-0 run in just over two minutes to break the game open at 24-10.

Becker shot an outstanding 53% to Clark's 42% from the field in the first twenty minutes.

The Cougars cut the lead to single digits at 48-40 on a DJ Bailey (Palmer, Mass.) three-point play at the 16:16 mark of the second half. Tucker Esborn (Branford, Conn.) followed with a three-point play of his own to make it 48-43. Wright hit a jumper from under the basket to get the Hawks lead back to 50-43. Clark's Travis Curley (Trumbull, Conn.) responded with a basket from behind the arc to make it a 50-46 game with 13 minutes to play.

The Hawks picked up their defense, snagging two steal and at the 12:30 mark, Favors hit a layup and a free throw to build the lead to 54-46. Leggett hit a layup on a put back of his own missed shot and it was back to an 11 point lead.

Wright's second dunk of the night with six minutes remaining made the score 68-49 and the Hawks never looked back.

Clark was led by Vayda who finished with 12 points and Curley who had 10 points.

Becker outrebounded Clark, 37-29 and had 14 steals in the win.

The Hawks finish off the first half of the season with a trip to Newbury College on Saturday, December 11, while Clark will look to rebound against Nichols College on Saturday as well.

 Release Courtesy Of Becker College Sports Information