GU Rolls Past Clarke, Stays Perfect in Conference Behind Balanced Scoring Attack
DUBUQUE, Iowa — Six players scored in double figures as the Graceland men's basketball team extended its unbeaten Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) record with an 88–65 road win over Clarke University on Wednesday night at the Kehl Center. The victory moves Graceland to 14–2 overall and 8–0 in conference play, while Clarke falls to 3–13, 0–8 HAAC.
The Yellowjackets were again without two key starters: 2024–25 HAAC Player of the Year Cole Bowen, who remains sidelined due to injury but is expected to return later this season, and starting forward Runey Hernandez, who is set to return to the lineup Saturday.
"Outside of a short stretch in the first half, I thought we were very dominant on both ends of the court," said head coach Todd Lorensen. "We got solid contributions across the board."
Graceland jumped out to a 48–29 halftime lead behind a 52.9 percent shooting performance in the opening period, including 8-of-19 from three-point range. Clarke never led in the contest, as the Jackets' pressure defense and ball movement set the tone early.
The offensive balance was the story of the night. Graceland placed six players in double figures, led by Carson Busch and Micah Lamberth with 13 points each. Busch knocked down three triples, while Lamberth added seven rebounds and three assists. Josh Sanderson and Deundra Roberson each finished with 12 points, while Trey Summers and Emarion Ellis both tallied 11.
"As we continue to have different lineups, it will take us some time to find our groove on offense," Lorensen added. "But if we keep defending, a lot of good things will happen."
Summers, in particular, delivered a strong two-way performance, finishing with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes.
"He just keeps getting better and better," Lorensen said. "He seems to have a nose for the ball and plays extremely hard. He earned his double-double tonight."
Graceland shot 49.2 percent from the field and hit 14-of-34 from beyond the arc (41.2%), while holding Clarke to 33.3 percent overall and 20.7 percent from three. The Yellowjackets also won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Clarke 48–38, with 15 offensive boards leading to 13 second-chance points.
Roberson was efficient in his role at the point, going 5-for-6 from the floor and adding six assists to just two turnovers. Ellis contributed 11 points, five rebounds, and showed versatility on both ends off the bench.
Graceland also turned defense into offense, recording nine steals and forcing 11 turnovers, leading to 18 points off turnovers. The Yellowjackets held Clarke to zero fast break points, and limited the home team to 36 second-half points despite some scattered defensive lapses.
"We had some short stretches in the second half where we lost our focus, but all in all, it was a good road win," Lorensen noted.
While Clarke saw a strong effort from Desmond Jones (15 points, nine rebounds) and Jackson Graham (eight points), the Pride were unable to generate consistent offense and never threatened after halftime.
Graceland's bench provided 36 points, with contributions from eight different reserves. The team's ability to score at all three levels — and from multiple personnel packages — continues to be a difference-maker during conference play.
With Wednesday's win, Graceland holds sole possession of first place in the HAAC standings entering the second full week of January.
Graceland returns home for a pivotal HAAC matchup on Saturday, Jan. 10, when the Yellowjackets host Central Methodist University (MO). Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. CST at the Morden Center in Lamoni, Iowa.
For more information on Graceland men's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.