Offensive explosion in the second half carries Pride to 77-74 win at Graceland

LAMONI, Iowa - Hoping to avoid an 0-2 start in Heart of America Athletic Conference play, the Clarke University men's basketball team used a 51-point second half to come from behind and win 77-74 over Graceland University on Wednesday night.

The Pride got an outstanding individual performance from senior Keith Johnson as he dropped a career-high 34 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field and 6-of-9 shooting from three-point range. Johnson also added a nine-rebound effort in what turned into a duel with Carson Newsome of the Yellowjackets, who also poured in 34 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Graceland led for all of the first half and until about eight minutes remaining in the second half when the Pride took their first lead since hitting the game's opening three pointer at 58-57 with 7:57 remaining. The Yellowjackets regained the lead and even went back up by seven points with four minutes to go where the Pride finished the game on a 14-4 run over the final 3:39.

Jordan Lake and Jacob Fierst added double figures for CU as Lake scored 16 while adding six assists and Fierst scored 11 while grabbing six rebounds. Lake showed poise at the end of the game as well, making the final four free throws of the game for Clarke to help them maintain their late lead.

The Pride will return to the Kehl Center this Saturday when they host Evangel University at 2:00 p.m. CT to continue Heart play for their first conference home game.