Dec. 8, 2007

Box Score

FAIRMONT, WV - Behind 25 points from freshman Mike Sherry and 18 points from junior Damon Gross, the Clarion University men's basketball team rallied from a 10-point first-half deficit to get an 84-77 win at 19th ranked Fairmont State Saturday night.

Sherry and Gross combined to shoot 15 of 20 from the floor helping Clarion (4-4) shot 50.8 percent (30 of 59) for the game. Sherry was 8 of 10 shooting including 7 of 9 from 3-point range, while Gross was 7 of 10 from the floor. Sherry added five assists, while Gross had four rebounds and two steals.

Clarion trailed 16-6 early and 37-34 at halftime before battling back to take a 65-60 lead with just under 10 minutes left.

It was then Fairmont State's turn to rally, as the Falcons, who were ranked 19th in the Dec. 5 NABC NCAA Division II national poll, tied the game at 70 with a 10-5 run.

But the Golden Eagles retook the lead for good on a 3-pointer from Sherry with 3:58 left. Sherry then hit another key 3-pointer with 1:36 to play after Fairmont State had cut the Clarion lead to a single point, 75-74. Sherry scored eight of Clarion's final 14 points helping the Golden Eagles end the game on a 14-7 run.

Demetrius Graham added 10 points, three assists and two steals, while Ricky Henderson had 13 rebounds and five blocked shots. Henderson now has 32 rebounds and eight blocked shots in two games. Lonnell Jones added 11 rebounds, seven points and seven assists.

Thad McFadden led Fairmont State with 22 points, while Cody Loughry and Adam Southern each added 13 tallies. Ronnie Means was credited with 16 assists.

Clarion is now off until Dec. 18 when it travels to Cheyney for a 3 p.m. tip.