Men’s Basketball Fall to Clarke

Dubuque, Iowa - The Graceland University Men's Basketball team took on the Clarke University Pride. Vikings. The Yellowjackets defeated the Pride, 87-83. Graceland move to 15-3 and are 12-2 in the conference.

Graceland (15-4, 12-3) | Clarke (5-14, 3-12)
Half 1: Graceland 25 | Clarke 32
Aleksa Markovic would sink a layup and push a 6-0 lead early; Darrius Davis (free throw) and Carson Busch (three-pointer) would contribute. The Pride would answer with a 12-point jump to take the lead (16-8). Amitai Afenjar would break the run with a layup (10-minute mark). Minutes later, Markovic and Carter Brown would add back-to-back three-pointers and close their deficit to two points (18-16). Patrick Fisher would close the gap to one point from the arches (20-19). Clarke would answer to put up eight points (28-19). Sylvester Union would close the first half with a layup, and Graceland would tail by seven heading into the half (32-25).

Half 2: Graceland 36 | Clarke 33
Graceland would open the second half with an 8-3 run and close their deficit to two points: baskets from Aleksa Markovic (charity stripes), Austin Braun (three-pointer) and Carson Busch (three-pointer). Both teams would trade baskets. Graceland would work to even the score from a Carter Brown three-pointer (46-46), and Busch would grab a three-point lead from the deep. Clarke would add a late six-point jump (55-50). With seconds left on the clock, Markovic would close the gap to one point with a layup (62-61). The Pride would hold their lead to take the 65-61 victory.

By the numbers:
19-22– The Yellowjackets had 19 field goals and the Pride sank 22 field goals
8-7 – Graceland had 8 three-pointer and Clarke had 7
20-4 – The Yellowjackets had 16 more bench points than the Pride
41-44 – Graceland rebounds compared Clarke
14-15 – The Yellowjacket made charity stripe compared to the Pride

Graceland Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Aleksa Markovic – 15
Rebounding Leader: Aleksa Markovic – 15
Assist Leader: Akeen Woods – 4
Steal Leader: Akeen Woods – 3

Clarke Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Biggie Luster – 23
Rebounding Leader: Biggie Luster – 12
Assist Leader: Jake Layman – 4
Steal Leader: Jake Layman / Biggie Luster – 3

Up Next:
The Yellowjackets will be back on their home court on Saturday, January 27 when they host the Park University Pirates. Tip-off is set for 4:00 pm.

-Yellowjackets-