Box Score CLARION – In a classic defensive struggle that saw both teams combine for just one made field goal in the final five-plus minutes, Mercyhurst held off Clarion to get a 55-46 win at Clarion's Tippin Gym Wednesday night.
 
Clarion (4-9 overall, 3-6 PSAC West) led 42-41 following an Ann Deibert jump shot with 6:53 to play and held Mercyhurst (8-5, 6-3) to just two baskets in the final 7:28 but was outscored 14-4 over the last 6:53 thanks in part to Mercyhurst hitting 9 of 12 free throws down the stretch.
 
Hannah Heeter led Clarion with 10 points and 12 rebounds, her second double-double in three outings. Heeter, who was the PSAC West Freshman of the Week last week, added four blocked shots, four steals and two assists while shooting 5 of 7 from the floor.
 
Ann Deibert chipped in nine points, five rebounds, two steals, a blocked shot and an assist for the Golden Eagles, while Mackenzie Clark had eight points and six assists and Courtney Healy six points, six rebounds and four blocked shots. The four blocks give Healy 109 in her career, three back of Janelle Zabresky for fourth in school history. Clarion blocked nine shots in the game.  
 
Nikki Frederickson led Mercyhurst, which led 27-25 at halftime, with 15 points and seven rebounds. Kaylee Foster added 11 points and four boards off the bench with Lindsay Stamp chipping in eight points, four rebounds and three assists. Lindsey Burke had a team-high nine rebounds to go with six points.
 
Clarion returns to action at 5:30 p.m. Saturday when it hosts IUP.
 
NOTES – Clarion shot 37.5 percent from the floor (18 of 48) while Mercyhurst was 33.9 percent (20 of 59).