11/20/2007
Alexander's Career-High Leads Men's Basketball Past Becker, 83-80

WORCESTER, MASS. 11/20/07 - Sophomore Mark Alexander (Providence, R.I.) had a career-high 30 points, including a few key baskets down the stretch, to lead the Clark University men’s basketball team to a thrilling 83-80 non-conference victory over Becker College at the Kneller Athletic Center on Tuesday evening.

Clark improves to 2-1 on the young season, while Becker dips to 1-2.

Alexander’s 30 points came on 10-18 shooting from the floor, 4-8 from beyond the arc and 6-11 from the line. Junior Peter Normandin (Westminster, Mass.) and sophomore Slader Lyell (Portsmouth, R.I.) also scored in double-digits with 15 and 10 points, respectively.

Junior Travis Suber (Springfield, Mass.) and freshman Kevin Miranda (Brockton, Mass.) each scored 17 points to pace Becker. Junior Shawn Fuller (New Haven, Conn.) had 12 points and senior Emmanuel Masumbuko (Burlington, Vt.) grabbed a game-high 10 boards.

It was a tight game throughout the first half with neither team leading by more than six, until Clark went on a 7-0 run to push the lead to 29-18 on Normandin’s lay-up at the 5:22 mark. Although Becker made it a two-point game (28-30) on a basket by Darren Callahan (Chicopee, Mass.), Clark closed out the half on a 6-2 spurt highlighted by four points from Lyell to maintain a six point (36-31) advantage at the break.

Early in the second half, Becker tied the game on Suber’s lay-up and took its largest lead (67-49) of the night on a jumper by Steve Jacobs (Lexington Park, Md.) with 8:58 left to play. Within a 2:20 span, the Hawks saw its 18-point lead dwindle as the host team scored 11 unanswered points capped by Alexander’s fast-break dunk to trail by seven (60-67).

A foul by Clark’s Normandin sent Suber to the line where he drained both shots to push Becker’s lead back to nine (69-60). However, consecutive fouls sent Alexander and sophomore Chris Lopiano (Franklin Square, N.Y.) to the line, respectively, where they hit a combined two freebies for a seven-point deficit.

Clark went on to take the lead behind Alexander. The sophomore forward, who had 23 second half points, outscored Becker 12-6, including back-to-back three-pointers, to trail by one (74-75). On the ensuing possession, Becker missed a three to extend its margin and a runner by Slyell with 1:48 remaining gave Clark the lead (76-75) for good. Lopiano’s basket made it a three-point game just seconds later.

Becker made it interesting in the closing minute as they made it a one-point game twice (77-78 and 80-81) on a pair of trips to the line. However, a conventional three-point play by Alexander (81-77) and a pair of free throws from senior Pat Ochoa (Springfield, Mass.), respectively, secured the victory for Clark.

Clark will travel to Worcester State College on Thursday, Nov. 29 (7 p.m.).