WORCESTER, Mass. – Clark University men's basketball (9-6, 4-2 NEWMAC) continued their path through the conference schedule with a trip to Emerson College (7-7, 3-2 NEWMAC). After a tight first half the Cougars came out of the gates quick after halftime, never looking back on the way to an 82-63 victory. 

How it Happened

• Both teams held leads in the early minutes, with a three by first-year Aliaun Iscandari giving the Cougars a 5-3 advantage.

• After the Lions retook the lead, junior Quentin Pridgen would briefly put Clark back in front with a layup, before back-to-back triples put Emerson back in the lead, 17-12.

• A layup by sophomore Boluwasefe John, assisted by the aforementioned Pridgen, cut the deficit to three with 7:51 remaining in the half.

• Clark would retake the lead with 2:40 remaining after a three by senior Reid Neumann tied the game, before a steal by Iscandari and a quick pass to John led to a soaring jam, putting the Cougars back in front, 33-30.

• John continued to attack inside, hitting a layup for the penultimate shot of the half, before a layup by Emerson with four seconds left cut the deficit to four, leaving the Cougars in front 39-35.

• After an opening layup by Emerson, Clark would go on a 17-6 run over the next six minutes, highlighted by a thunderous putback jam from John to help the Cougars reach a double-digit lead.

• The lead would continue to grow, with a three by sophomore Kyle Squires making it an 18-point game, 63-45, with 9:54 to play.

• The lead would reach as high as 21 following a layup by junior Christopher Clarke, and over the remaining minutes Clark comfortably cruised to an 82-63 win.

Inside the Box Score

• The Cougars hit 31 of 54 field goal attempts (57.4%), including seven makes from behind the arc. They grabbed 36 rebounds, assisted on 11 shots, and forced 14 turnovers.

• John led the way with a career-best 28 points on 10-13 shooting. He was also a force on the defensive side of the court with four steals and four blocks.

• Iscandari poured in 18 points while adding three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

• Pridgen was well-rounded in the effort, with nine points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals of his own.

• Neumann and Squires each chipped in eight points, also each hitting two triples.

• Junior Malik Matanmi posted a perfect shooting day, contributing eight points and five rebounds.

What's Next

The Scarlet and White travel to Wheaton for a Saturday basketball showcase at 1:00 PM.