Box Score CLARION, Pa. – Despite a career-high 26 points from Calvin Edwards and a double-double from freshman Aaron Johnson playing in his first career game, the Clarion University men's basketball team dropped a 78-66 decision to visiting West Chester Friday night at Tippin Gym.
 
The Golden Eagles (3-6 overall, 2-4 PSAC West) trailed by just two, 37-35, at halftime before West Chester started the second half with a 16-4 run to take a 14-point lead, 53-39, 7 ½ minutes into the half. The Golden Rams (6-4, 4-2 PSAC East) lead grew to as many as 16, a lead it held four different times, the latest at 65-49 with 8:57 left.
 
But Clarion rallied going on an 11-1 run that saw five different players score to close within six, 66-60, on an Evan Battle basket with 3:18 left. The Golden Eagles still trailed by just six, 68-62, following another Battle hoop at the 2:34 mark before West Chester ended the game on a 10-4 run fueled by Rams going 6 of 6 from the free-throw line.
 
Edwards, whose previous career high was 25 points vs. Central Penn Dec. 7, 2011, connected on 11 of 17 shots from the field including three triples. He added six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
 
Johnson, a transfer from Princeton via Pittsburgh's Moon High School, showed off his potential in his first collegiate game with 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. He was rusty from the floor (2 of 9) but was a perfect 6 of 6 from the free-throw line while playing 34 minutes. Mike Kromka added 10 points and five rebounds for Clarion.
 
Corey Blake led West Chester with 17 points and six rebounds. Carl Johnson added 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals with Troy Hockaday adding 13 points and Jon Breeden 12 points.
 
Clarion returns to action at 7:30 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Cheyney.