March 2, 2010

Box Score/Photo Gallery/Video Gallery

CLARION - Shameel Carty's 3-pointer with 4:37 left sparked a game-ending 21-7 run that lifted the Clarion University men's basketball team to its first home playoff win in 13 years with a 76-69 win over Mercyhurst in the PSAC quarterfinals Tuesday night at Tippin Gym.

"The guys deserved it, they have earned every bit of it," Clarion head coach Ron Righter said. "They have been in these situations all year, and we know if we keep the deficit under double digits we always have a shot. That's our formula."

Clarion (18-10) trailed 62-55 following an old-school 3-point play by Jordan Armstrong with 4:45 left, but Carty hit the Golden Eagles only 3-pointer of the game eight seconds later to start the comeback.

A Jamar Harrison jumper then made it 62-60 before a Carty free throw cut the Mercyhurst (18-10) lead to 62-61 with 3:27 left. After an Armstrong dunk with 2:59 to go made it 64-61, back-to-back Paul McQueen layups at 2:46 and 2:09 gave Clarion the lead for good. Those shots started a 13-0 run that was fueled by five free throws and baskets by Jamar Harrison and Lloyd Harrison.

"We are use to the situation and we knew we needed to step up," Jamar Harrison said. "It's another game for us."

All involved with the Golden Eagles pointed to a raucous crowd of over 1,600, most wearing white, for helping bring Clarion back.

"The crowd gave us a lift," Righter said. "It's fun to play and coach with a crowd like that. They definitely fed off that and the crowd never gave up on us."

Carty led the Golden Eagles with 21 points, seven rebounds, five steals and three assists, while Lloyd Harrison added 14 points, nine assists, four rebounds and one steal.

"It's one of the happiest moments of my life," Lloyd Harrison said. "It means the world to me. I've never been in a situation like this. I feel like I'm surrounded by family."

McQueen chipped in a double-double for Clarion with 13 points, 15 rebounds and four assists with Jamar Harrison added 15 points.

Jeremiah Wise led all scorers with 20 points for Mercyhurst, while Heiden Ratner added 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal. Christian Cornelius chipped in 11 points and Armstrong added nine points and eight rebounds.

Clarion will now face Kutztown in the semifinals Friday at East Stroudsburg.