NORTON, Mass. – No. 23 Clark men's basketball (14-4, 8-1 NEWMAC) traveled to Wheaton (10-7, 4-5 NEWMAC) and were edged 68-66 by the Lyons on Saturday afternoon from the Emerson Gymnasium.
How it Happened
- Clark jumped out to an early 7-0 lead as junior Bruce Saintilus and sophomore Reid Neumann each hit triples and junior Kekoa McArdle made a free throw.
- Saintilus scored the Cougars next four points, but the Lyons went on an 15-4 run before a jumper from junior Isaiah Taylor made it a 15-13 game with 11:11 to go in the first half.
- Downn nine, first-year Christopher Clarke hit a three-pointer and a made a layup to made it a 30-24 contest before a triple from first-year Quentin Pridgen cut the deficit to three at 30-27.
- McArdle and Pridgen both scored before the half as the Cougars trailed 37-31.
- Clark opened the second half on an 11-5 run as Neumann hit a pair of three-pointers, Saintilus made a three, and a jumper from senior Mikey O'Brien tied the game at 42-42 with 16:53 to go.
- Down 48-45, the Cougars netted the next six points as McArdle, Saintilus, and O'Brien each scored as Clark took a 53-50 advantage.
- Wheaton rattled off nine unanswered points before Taylor ended the run with a made jumper and four more Saintilus points helped cut the deficit to 64-61 with 2:30 remaining.
- After the Lyons pushed the lead to five, Taylor made a pair of free throws and a made three-pointer from O'Brien tied the game at 66-66 with 0:22 to go.
- Wheaton came down the floor and drew a foul with 0:01 remaining and got a pair of made free throws from Dimetri Iafrate pushed the lead to 68-66 before Taylor got a look at the buzzer that rattled off the rim as the Lyons came away with a win.
Inside the Box Score
- The Cougars grabbed 40 rebounds, dished out 13 assists, and recorded eight steals.
- Saintilus led the team with 16 points, four steals, and grabbed five rebounds.
- Neumann added 15 points, with five made three-pointers and three blocks.
- O'Brien and Taylor each netted nine points.
What's Next
Clark will return to the court on Wednesday night for a home NEWMAC game against Salve Regina beginning at 5:00 p.m.