Box Score CLARION, Pa. – Despite its best defensive effort of the season, the Clarion University men's basketball team couldn't overcome a cold-shooting first half in a 60-45 loss to visiting Gannon Saturday night at Tippin Gym.
 
The Golden Eagles (2-10 overall, 0-4 PSAC West) limited the Golden Knights to an opponents-low 60 points while holding Gannon to 41.5 percent shooting (22 of 53), the fourth-lowest against Clarion this season.
 
But a 5 of 26 shooting performance in the first half put Clarion behind 13, 30-17, at halftime.
 
The Golden Eagles tried to rally in the second half catching fire at the start of the half hitting 5 of their first seven shots in the half to close within four, 33-29, 4 ½ minutes into the half. But that was as close as Clarion got with Gannon using an 8-2 spurt over the next five minutes to get the lead back to double digits, 41-31. Clarion never got closer than eight the rest of the way, and the Golden Knights hit 6 of 6 free throws in the final 1:30 to expand the lead.
 
A game after having a season-high 18 points, freshman guard BJ Andrews tied for game-high honors with 15 points for Clarion while adding three rebounds, two assists and a steal. DeMarius Miller continued his solid play with his ninth straight double-digit performance (14 points). Mike Kromka added six points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots, which tied a season high. Aaron Johnson had a game-high 11 rebounds to go with three points.
 
Girbran Smith led Gannon with 15 points and seven rebounds. C.J. Oldham added 12 points and eight rebounds and Matthew Dogan had 11 points off the bench.
 
Clarion returns to action at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when it travels to California (Pa.).
 
NOTES – Clarion warmed up in the second half shooting 43.5 percent (10 of 23), and the Golden Eagles were 11 of 13 from the free-throw line.