BROOKLYN --- Led by freshman center Amissa Epperson's (Jersey City, NJ/McNair) game-highs of 13 points, 17 rebounds, six blocks and six steals, Pratt Institute improved to 3-3 with a 39-24 win over The King's (NY) College.
The Cannoneers held the Lions to 18 percent (9-50) shooting, forced 47 King's turnovers, and out-rebounded the visitors by a dozen, 62-50.
An Epperson putback with three minutes left in the first gave Pratt (3-3) its largest lead of the quarter at 6-3, and the center's free throw in the final minute handed the Cannoneers a 7-5 lead after the first. Another Epperson putback with 5:45 left in the second increased the margin to 12-5.
Through 20 minutes, Pratt held King's (1-2) to 13 percent (3-24) shooting and forced 24 Lions turnovers, going into halftime with an 18-9 lead. At the half, Epperson led all players with 10 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks, and five steals.
Out of the intermission, a Jennifer Klockner (Hamilton, NJ/Steinart) layup immediately followed by a fast-break layin for the sophomore upped the lead to 22-9. Klockner assisted on a Carol Cai layup to close out the third, sending the Cannoneers into the fourth leading 24-11.
The hosts scored seven of the first nine of the fourth, putting the game away for good with a Klockner three-pointer that put Pratt on top 31-13 at the 6:00 mark.
Klocker finished with 11 points and four steals, while Carol Cai (West Covina, CA/Rowland) totaled nine points, four assists, and seven steals.
For King's, Anna Eaves tied for game-high honors with 13 points.
Pratt returns to play on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Cooper Union.
