Balanced Team Effort Lifts Jackets to Big Win over Clarke, 82-64

LAMONI, Iowa — The Graceland men's basketball team picked up its fourth conference win and ninth overall on Wednesday night, defeating Clarke University 82–64 at the Morden Center. With the victory, Graceland improves to 9–2 overall and 4–0 in Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) play, while Clarke falls to 3–9 overall and 0–4 in the league.

Deundra Roberson, Cole Bowen, and Runey Hernandez led the Yellowjackets with 17 points each, while Tyson Shaw added 13 points off the bench in an efficient outing. Bowen also tallied nine assists and seven rebounds, and Roberson contributed three steals, helping drive Graceland's transition game.

"We had a unique break with significant travel issues, so I was worried about how well we could execute tonight," said Head Coach Todd Lorensen. "Defensively, I thought we did a very good job the vast majority of the game."

Graceland held Clarke to 35.1% shooting and 30.8% from three, while generating 22 points off 14 Clarke turnovers. The Yellowjackets controlled the paint with a 38–10 scoring advantage and secured a 37–30 rebounding edge.

After a quick 3–0 start from Clarke, Graceland responded with a 6-0 spurt and never trailed again. The Yellowjackets shot 45.2% in the first half and led by as many as 15 before heading into halftime with a 40–28 lead.

"At the half [Roberson] only had the one basket but still had five assists," Lorensen said. "In the second half we got him in some better areas to finish and more opportunities at the free-throw line. He's such a good passer that it makes it hard for defenses to take his opportunities away because he consistently finds the open man."

Clarke trimmed the deficit to seven midway through the second half, but Graceland's execution down the stretch put the game out of reach. Bowen and Roberson connected in transition, and Shaw knocked down a pair of key three-pointers to push the lead back to double digits.

"On offense, we had some moments and stretches where we were really good," Lorensen added. "But also had too many stretches and possessions where we didn't value getting something great. It's always good to be able to learn from a win, but it's important that we start playing closer to 40 minutes and not taking possessions off."

Graceland shot 48.4% in the second half to finish at 46.8% overall, and went 16-of-24 (66.7%) at the line. The Yellowjackets recorded 17 assists on 29 made field goals, including four each from Roberson and Hernandez.

"They have a very physical and athletic group," Lorensen noted of Clarke. "They will definitely have some things that we need to key on at the same time. I think we have some things we can do on both ends of the basketball that will provide challenges for them."

Clarke was paced by DeMarco Clayton with 21 points, while Lovre Stanovic added 20 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 7-of-7 from the line. But the Pride were limited to just 10 points in the paint and scored zero fast break points.

"He's a dynamic athlete," Lorensen said of Roberson. "It's challenging at times to find a happy medium of letting him use that while being disciplined, but it was good to see him get out and find some opportunities in transition off of steals and deflections."

Graceland's bench produced 19 points, led by Shaw and Josh Sanderson, compared to just five bench points from Clarke. Shaw's contributions were particularly timely, going 4-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 from three.

"I know it's still December, but it's exciting to play any game with two teams who are playing good basketball right now," Lorensen said.

The Yellowjackets return to action on Saturday, Dec. 6, hosting Missouri Baptist at 2 p.m. CST inside the Morden Center.

For more information on Graceland men's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.