Pride runaway with big win over Missouri Valley

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Getting back on their home floor after playing the last two on the road, the Clarke University women's basketball team earned a 19-point win over Missouri Valley College on Saturday afternoon at the Kehl Center.

In a game where the Pride saw their largest lead grow to as many as 33 points in the third quarter, it was an outstanding nearly first 28 minutes of basketball from the home team on both ends of the floor leading 20-12 after the first quarter and using a 20-6 second quarter to lead 40-18 at the halftime break.

The Vikings had a tough shooting day, especially in the first half, where they would finish going 16-for-60 (26.7%) from the field and 4-for-26 (15.4%) from three point range where the first half saw MVC go 8-for-31 (25.8%) from the field and 1-for-14 (7.1%) from three point range with only one make on seven attempts from the free throw line in the opening 20 minutes.

Combined with the 20-6 second quarter, CU's third quarter extended that run to 40-13 to the 2:32 mark of the third quarter before Missouri Valley outscored Clarke 24-10 for the remainder of the game but the Pride still finished the game going 25-for-66 (37.9%) from the field, 7-for-27 (25.9%) from three, and 13-for-18 (72.2%) from the free throw line over the entirety of the game for their 11th win of the season.

It was a balanced offensive effort from the Pride with seven players making at least two field goals led by a 17-point performance from Zoe Kennedy as she added five rebounds, five assists, and a steal with Hailey Walters adding 15 rebounds and seven assists, and Reese Ryan producing her third double-double of the season.

Behind those three, Jessica Morgan produced nine points off the bench, Josie Potts finished with eight points, six assists, and five rebounds, Breckan Stewart played 23 minutes off the bench to six points, two rebounds, an assist, and a steal, and Camdyn Kay had a five-point, six-rebound day in limited minutes managing foul trouble throughout the game.

Heading into the final month of the season, Clarke women's basketball will host their next game of the season in their first of two games against Mount Mercy University on Wednesday, Feb. 4 with a 5:30 p.m. CT scheduled opening tip between the Pride and Mustangs.