Dec. 15, 2008

Box Score

CLARION - A 31-7 run sandwiched between halftime lifted the Clarion University men's basketball team to a 70-63 win over Pitt-Johnstown Monday night at Tippin Gym.

Clarion (4-2) trailed by nine, 22-13, with 7:54 left in the first half but ended the half on a 14-5 run to forge a 27-all tie at the break. The Golden Eagles then started the second half on a 17-2 run to take a 44-29 lead with 11:55 to play. Marcus Robinson had eight of the 17 points at the start of the second half.

The Golden Eagles got the lead up to 17 points, 51-34, with 7:27 to play on a Mike Sherry three, and still led by 10, 62-52, with a minute left.

Pitt-Johnstown (6-2) tried to rally going on an 8-2 run over the next 30 seconds to cut Clarion's lead to four, 64-60, on a three by Danny Branch with 34 seconds to play.

Clarion, however, salted the game away by hitting six straight free throws in the final 27 seconds.

Four Golden Eagles scored double figures led by 19 points and five rebounds from Robinson, who added two assists and three steals. Josh Yanke had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Damon Gross also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds while adding a blocked shot and three steals. Sherry chipped in with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Point guard Ron Hollis had five helpers to go with two steals and six points.

Marcus Tullis paced UPJ with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Andy Byer had 13 points and Branch 11 tallies and five rebounds.

Clarion returns to action Friday when it hosts PSU-DuBois at 7 p.m.