Dec. 3, 2008

Box Score

CLARION - Behind great games from senior forward Josh Yanke and sophomore guard Mike Sherry, the Clarion University men's basketball team pulled away from Lake Erie to get an 87-66 win Wednesday night at Clarion's Tippin Gym.

Yanke had career highs in points (25) and rebounds (16) while recording his third double-double of the season, and Sherry caught fire early in the second half hitting five of his first six three-point attempts of the half on his way to a season-best 24 tallies.

Clarion (3-2) led 39-30 at halftime thanks to a half-ending 9-3 run that was fueled by five points from Yanke including a three-pointer just before the first-half horn.

Then thanks to the hot shooting by Sherry, the Golden Eagles started the second half on a 21-9 run to grab a 60-39 lead with 13:32 to play. Sherry had 15 points during the streak hitting the five three-pointers in the first 5:35 of the half. He finished the night 6 of 10 from three-point range and 9 of 15 from the field.

Lake Erie (1-7) tried to make a game of it going on a 12-2 run to cut the lead to 11, 70-59, with 4:26 left, but Clarion finished the game on a 10-0 run.

Damon Gross also reached double figures for the Golden Eagles with 11 points and nine rebounds, and Ron Hollis had eight tallies. Greg Parker chipped in off the bench with eight points, six rebounds and three assists.

Rick Leasure's 13 points led four Lake Erie players in double figures. Ethan Bradshaw and Matt Moore each had 12 and Derrick Thornton had 11.

Clarion outrebounded the Storm 45-27 including 20-10 on the offensive glass. Eight of Yanke's 16 boards came on the offensive side, and he also shot 8 of 14 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line.

The Golden Eagles are now off until Dec. 15 when they host Pitt-Johnstown at 7 p.m.