Jan. 28, 2009

Box Score

ERIE - Trailing at Mercyhurst by double digits with four minutes left, the Clarion University men's basketball team made a late charge to get within five before falling 75-64 to the Lakers in PSAC-West men's basketball action Wednesday night at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The Golden Eagles trailed 64-53 before cutting the lead to five, 64-59, thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers by Ron Hollis and Mike Sherry with 2:12 to play.

Clarion (9-9 overall, 0-5 PSAC-West) then appeared to get a key defensive stop when Mercyhurst's Brian McTear was whistled for a charge with 1:45 to play. But it was ruled that McTear's shot was released before the foul allowing the basket to count and giving the Lakers (14-4, 2-3) a seven-point lead. While Clarion's Shameel Carty hit the two ensuing free throws at the other end, the initial basket was enough to stem the Golden Eagles rally.

Mercyhurst used a barrage of 3-pointers to build the second-half lead. The Lakers hit on 12 of 37 3-pointers in the game including seven of their 10 made baskets in the first half while building a 31-27 halftime lead.

Josh Yanke recorded his second straight double-double and his ninth of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead Clarion. Mike Sherry chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds. Damon Gross added 12 points and five rebounds.

McTear paced Mercyhurst with 19 points, Elliot Engelmann added 14 points, Anthony Terry 13 and Jordan Armstrong eight points and 11 rebounds.

Clarion returns to action at 8 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Edinboro. Kids 14 & under get in free.