Jeremy Zalacca - Director of Athletic Communications

WILSON, N.C. - With possession of second place in the conference standings on the line, the Pfeiffer men's basketball team (19-3, 12-3 CC) overwhelmed Barton (15-6, 10-3 CC) with a 63-47 second half to win inside Wilson Gymnasium for the second consecutive season. A.J. Clark led the Falcons with 30 points on the night as Pfeiffer trails Limestone by just two games in the loss column for the regular season title.

"Our guys showed great toughness and leadership tonight," said Head Coach Jeremy Currier following the game. "Barton has been playing as well as anyone in our league and have won eight straight at home. Tonight took a full team effort to get the job done and I am proud of the leadership and character of our team."

Clark started the game on fire and never slowed down. The senior set the tone by scoring the Falcons first 12 points as Pfeiffer ran out to an early 12-2 advantage. The Burlington, N.C. native may have swung the momentum after Barton made a free throw to tie the game with 0.9 seconds left in the first half but Clark's half court buzzer beater gave Pfeiffer a three point advantage heading into the break, a lead they would never relinquish.

The Falcons torched Barton's defense in the second half, erupting for 63 points and shooting 51.2 percent from the field. Pfeiffer extended the lead to as much as 24 points in the second half and Barton had no answer for the Falcons three point barrage.

A game after setting the team record for most three pointers made in a game (21), Pfeiffer knocked down 18 more triples and converted at a 45 percent clip. Clark and Andrew Guerrero each hit six 3-point baskets and the duo of Brendan Jones and Sae'Quahn Rogers went 4-for-7 from deep.

The entire starting five for the Falcons scored in double figures on the night. Guerrero finished the game with 24 points and added seven boards, two assists and two steals. Keith Jumper was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and came just one rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with 10 points and nine boards. Mike Smith (17) and Josh Calhoun (13) rounded out the scoring from the starters in the game.

Calhoun raises his career total to 968 points and looks to become the fourth current Falcon to enter the 1,000 point club. Just 32 points shy, the junior figures to achieve the feat in the near future.

In opposition to the Falcons hot shooting, Barton was ice cold from long range. The Bulldogs didn't hit a single three pointer in the game, misfiring on all 15 attempts. Barton held a huge 55-37 advantage on the boards but shot just 43.8 percent from the field on the game.

Michael Boykin led Barton in scoring, dropping 25 points in a losing effort. Daniel Westbrook added 15 points and nine boards and Miguel Brown scored 15 points off the bench.

Pfeiffer has now won seven straight contests and continue to keep the pressure on first-place Limestone. The Falcons look to stay hot on Saturday as they travel to Erskine for a 4 p.m. matchup. Pfeiffer won the earlier contest by a score of 104-74 on January 3.