WORCESTER, Mass. – The Clark men's basketball team (12-1, 1-1 NEWMAC) played its conference home opener on Wednesday night from the Kneller Gymnasium and dropped a contest 72-59 against Emerson (8-3, 1-1 NEWMAC).

How it Happened

• Clark took an early 10-5 lead sparked by a pair of triples from sophomore Mikey O'Brien and buckets from first-year Isaiah Taylor and graduate student Tyler Davern and led 13-11 with 9:16 left in the first half after a made layup from O'Brien and a free throw from sophomore Bruce Saintilus.
• Emerson then took a four point lead despite a Saintilus three-pointer and went on a 14-0 run to lead by 18 with 3:01 to go in the first before graduate student Biko Gayman ended the run with a triple and O'Brien made a three before the half as the Lions led 38-22.
• Davern opened the second half with Clark's first seven points as the team's traded baskets and a pair of Taylor three's helped Clark later stay within 16 at 51-35 with 12:14 to go.
• Taylor made another three with 11:21 remaining and a Davern triple with 8:50 to go pulled Clark within 11 at 55-44.
• The Lions then went on to record a 72-59 win as a three-pointer from first-year Ian Calabrese for his first career points helped Clark get as close as 13 from the lead.

Inside the Box Score

• Taylor led the team with 18 points and recorded three steals.
• O'Brien netted 15 points on 6-9 shooting, while recording four steals.
• Davern recorded his fifth double-double of the year with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
• Clark grabbed 39 rebounds, made 12 threes, dished out 16 assists, and recorded nine steals, while forcing 15 turnovers.

What's Next

Clark will return to action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Coast Guard for a conference matchup beginning at 1:00 p.m.