With the NJSIAA instituting a statewide running clock mercy rule in high school basketball - standardizing the previously-optional rule across New Jersey - it will certainly have effects on many games and programs this winter. The intent, of course, is to prevent mammoth blowouts, or at least keep them from getting further out of hand.. Now, when a score differential reaches 35 points in the second half, the clock will run continuously, only to be stopped for time outs, injuries, technical fouls, or officials' stoppages.