Feb. 4, 2009

Box Score

CLARION - David Blanks' 3-pointer late in the shot clock with 19 seconds sealed Clarion's first PSAC-West win 66-60 over visiting Lock Haven Wednesday night at Tippin Gym.

The Golden Eagles (10-10 overall, 1-6 PSAC-West) led by just three, 63-60, when Blanks came off a screen, took a pass from Ron Hollis and buried the game clinching shot. It gave the senior 15 points for the game off the bench, a big reason why Clarion was able to outscore Lock Haven (3-17, 1-6) 18-2 in bench points.

Josh Yanke added his 10th double-double of the season and his 19th of his career, which ties him with IUP's Daryl Webb for the lead in double-doubles among active PSAC players, with 18 points and 14 rebounds for Clarion. Shameel Carty chipped in with 13 points, seven rebounds and six steals.

Warren Christian led Lock Haven with 19 points and six rebounds. Billy Arre added 17 points and seven rebounds, and Eric Brennan had 17 points and six boards.

The game was tied at 50 with following a layup by Arre with 6:37 to play, but a layup by Blanks at the six-minute mark put Clarion ahead for good and started a 10-2 run that was capped by a Carty layup that put the Golden Eagles ahead 60-52 with 2:28 to play.

Clarion started off hot hitting 10 of its first 12 shots to build a 22-14 lead midway through the first half before Lock Haven chipped away to cut the gap to 30-24 at halftime.

The Golden Eagles then started the second half with a 14-6 run to go up 14, 46-32, with 14:08 left. But Lock Haven answered with an 18-4 run of its own to tie the game at 50.

Clarion returns to action at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at IUP.

NOTES - Yanke's 14 rebounds leaves him one shy of 500 in his career. He also has 945 career points.