WORCESTER, Mass. (February 14, 2026) – Emerson College shot an even 50-percent from the floor in each half with four in double figures in posting a key 81-72 victory over Clark University in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) men's basketball matchup at Hurst Court this afternoon.

Senior Jacob Armant led four from Emerson in double figures with 22 points, including 13 in the first half, on 8-of-15 shooting, with seven rebounds, five assists and a steal. Junior Shay Roban again provided a spark off the bench for the Lions with 19 points, hitting 5-of-10 three-pointers, including 13 after halftime with four rebounds and a career-high two blocked shots. Senior Brendan McNamara and sophomore Giulio Volonte each netted 13 points for the Lions with McNamara connecting on 4-of-6 shots, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, with a season-high matching six assists. Volonte pulled down six boards and posted a career-best five steals, while postgrad Asher Gardiner grabbed a game-high ten rebounds with seven points and two assists.

Freshman Aliaun Iscandari scored a game-high 28 points to lead Clark, filling the box score with seven rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Senior Reid Neumann added 16 points, connecting on 5-of-10 three-pointers, with two rebounds and two steals, while sophomore Kyle Squires rounded out the Cougars in double figures with 12 points off the bench.

Roban reached double figures for the sixth-straight game off the Lions bench, netting 19 points in today's win. (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard/RJBSports.com)

Emerson broke a 10-10 deadlock six minutes into the game with a 14-5 run, sparked by six points from Armant and three-pointers by Roban and McNamara to open a nine-point lead (24-15) after a Volonte layup with 8:37 to play in the first half. Clark answered with a 15-1 run, keyed by a trio of three-pointers from Neumann who capped the run with a four-point play, to grab a five-point edge (30-25) with 3:51 remaining in the half. Emerson closed the half with a 9-1 spurt, led by seven from Armant, to take the lead (37-34) into the intermission.

Clark stormed out of halftime with a 17-6 run, including seven from Squires who capped the run with a three-pointer to put the Cougars up eight (51-43) with 13:55 remaining in the second half. Clark's lead was still seven (54-47) after an Iscandari dunk with 11:58 to play when Emerson responded with a 20-3 run over the next seven minutes to reclaim the lead and stretch it into double figures (67-57) after a Roban layup. Roban sparked the run with a three-pointer, while Armant scored seven during the stretch.

Iscandari followed with a three-pointer to pull Clark within seven (67-60) with 4:34 remaining, but Emerson was able to extend the lead to 11 (72-61) on a McNamara triple with 2:36 to play. Clark again drew back within seven (79-72) after a three-point play by Iscandari with 50 seconds on the clock, but Emerson held the hosts scoreless from there and closed out the win at the free-throw line.

Noteworthy

• Armant netted his fourth 20-point game of the season (seventh career), scoring in double-figures for the 13^th game (43^rd career).
• Roban scored in double-figures for the sixth-straight game for Emerson, marking his eighth double digit scoring game of the season (14^th career).
• Volonte reached double-figures for the third-straight game and fourth time in his career overall.
• Emerson stays alive for a spot in the upcoming NEWMAC Tournament, remaining a game behind Springfield College with two games to play for the sixth and final spot. The Lions close out the regular season against the Pride in Springfield next Saturday.
• Emerson connected on 13-of-26 shots from floor (50%) in each half, shooting 6-for-13 (46.2%) from three in the first half and finishing 18-for-23 (78.3%) at the free-throw line.
• Clark was limited to 39.1% shooting, including 3-for-13 (23.1%) from deep in the second half, and made just 13-of-26 (50%) at the free-throw line.
• Emerson held a 45-32 rebound advantage and recorded assists on 20 of 26 field goals.

Up Next
Emerson (9-14, 5-9 NEWMAC) is back in action on Wednesday when it returns to Boylston Street to host Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a NEWMAC matchup on Senior Night at Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gymnasium at 7 p.m. Clark (12-12, 7-8 NEWMAC) closes out its regular season schedule at Springfield College on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

For the latest on Emerson Athletics, follow the Lions via social media on Instagram and online at emersonlions.com powered by SIDEARM Sports.