The Ephs took control early as they got off to an 8-0 start. After Springfield (7-2) responded, the Ephs continued to push and hold on to their early lead. With the Ephs up 18-12 with 13 minutes on the clock, Taylor Epley finished form behind the key off of an assist from Nate Robertson.  On the next Eph possession, Sean Hoffmann dunked off of a pass from Robertson to push the lead to double digits. After Pat Rossi finished inside for Springfield, Michael Mayer hit a three ball to push the lead back to 12.

 

Several minutes later, the Pride were able to cut the Eph lead back to 10 behind a pair of free throws from Rossi and a finish inside from Robbie Burke. The Ephs responded with a pair of threes from Jamie Klemm and a third from Daniel Wohl. As they finished the half with a three from Epley, the Ephs took the 46-27 lead into the break.

 

The Ephs were 10-for-14 from behind the arc in the first half. Klemm scored 20 points in the opening frame on 7-for-8 shooting as he missed just one long ball in the half.

 

Out of the break, the Ephs got off to a good start on both ends of the floor. Epley hit a three ball off of a pass from Robertson just 10 seconds in. On the next Pride possession, Mayer came up with a huge block. After Springfield recovered the loose ball, Klemm made a steal. On the ensuing Eph possession, Epley hit another three off of an assist from Wohl. Despite great effort from the Pride on both ends of the floor, the quick start for the Ephs in both halves proved overwhelming. 

 

The Ephs continued to push for the rest of the half, holding as high as a 29-point lead twice.  The Pride were able to cut the lead to 15 before the game was out, but it was too little, too late for Springfield.

 

Epley led the way for the Ephs with 27 points on 10-for-15 shooting.  Klemm added 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Ephs. Mayer had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.  The Ephs shot 58.5 percent from the field today and 65.2 percent from behind the arc.

 

Alex Berthlaume led the way with 14 points for the Pride and Jordan Rote added 12. Springfield was 37.7 percent from the floor on the day.

 

The Ephs will have a three-week break before they return to the court to take on Luther at California Lutheran on Dec. 29 at 11 p.m.