Feb. 13, 2010

Box Score

ERIE - George Johnson's jumper as time expired in overtime gave Gannon a 66-65 win over Clarion in PSAC-West men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Hammermill Center in Erie.

Johnson's jumper appeared to leave his hands after the horn sounded, but was counted as having been taken in time giving the Golden Knights the upset win.

Lloyd Harrison had given Clarion a 65-64 lead with 6.5 seconds left on two free throws before Johnson's controversial bucket at the end.

Johnson had given Gannon a 64-63 lead in the extra session on a layup with 30.6 seconds to play.

Clarion led most of overtime but came up on four straight possessions to allow Gannon to stay in the game.

The Golden Eagles had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Lloyd Harrison was able to make just one of two free throws with 4.6 seconds left to tie the game at 60. Gannon's Steve Piotrowicz's three-point shot from just over halfcourt hit the rim and bounced off harmlessly as time ran out in regulation.

Clarion trailed 60-59 when Gannon missed back-to-back one-and-one opportunities grabbing an offensive rebound on the first one before Clarion's Shameel Carty got the second rebound with just over 10 seconds left. The Golden Eagles then moved the ball into Lloyd Harrison's hands, and the junior point guard drove the land where he was fouled by Alfonso Scandrett with 4.6 left. But with the Hammermill Center crowd on its feet, Lloyd missed the front end of a two-shot foul before swishing the second one to tie the game.

After trailing most of the game, Clarion led 58-55 following a Lloyd Harrison bucket with 2:57 left before Gannon went on a 5-1 run to take the 60-59 lead thanks to three by Piotrowicz with 1:40 to play.

Clarion overcame a slow shooting start, hitting just two shots in the first seven-plus minutes and getting down by 10 before rallying to get within six, 32-26, at halftime.

Free-throw shooting hurt both teams with Clarion going 18 of 29 (62.1 percent) and Gannon going 13 of 23 (56.5 percent).

Lloyd Harrison had another fantastic game for Clarion scoring 25 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists. Shameel Carty added 14 points, Jamar Harrison had 12 points and Paul McQueen 10 points and nine rebounds.

Johnson led Gannon with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Danard Crouch added 15 points.

Clarion is back in action at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mercyhurst.