CLARION, Pa. – With its season for all practical purposes on the line, the Clarion University men's basketball needed a hero, and Darius Stevens was more than happy to oblige.
 
The junior from the state of Indiana scored all seven points during a 7-0 Golden Eagle run that broke a 71-all tie and gave Clarion a come-from-behind 82-77 win over visiting Pitt-Johnstown Wednesday night at Tippin Gym.
 
Coming out of the under four-minute media timeout, Clarion (7-11 overal, 5-10 PSAC West) and UPJ (9-10, 6-9) were tied at 71 with Stevens going to the free-throw line.
 
Stevens hit both free throws then added a layup 20 seconds later and a 3-pointer with 3:01 to play to put the Golden Eagles ahead 78-71.  
 
Pitt-Johnstown didn't go away quietly, closing to within three, 78-75, on an A.J. Leahey layup with 1:30 left, but a B.J. Andrews blocked shot of a Matt Palo jumper with 28 seconds to play led to Rob Agurs hitting four straight free throws in the final 16 seconds to seal the victory.  
 
It was fitting a big defensive play helped seal the victory, considering it was the Clarion defense that helped erase a 55-44 deficit with 16 minutes left.
 
The Golden Eagles, who remain two games back of Edinboro, a winner over Seton Hill Wednesday, for the sixth and final PSAC playoff berth awarded to the PSAC West with seven games to play,  forced eight Pitt-Johnstown turnovers in the final 15 minutes of the game including seven in the final 11:49 to get the win.
 
 "We got some crucial stops down the stretch," Clarion first-year head coach Marcess Williams said. "Defensively, we tried not to switch as much, tried to just play some man-to-man defense and challenge the guys. We still gave up a lot of points, but you know we like and up-tempo game. So we were okay giving up some easy ones just to get the tempo established."
 
Cameron Grumley played a key role in the second half and finished the game with nine points, five rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots and two steals. All three of his blocks were highlight of the highlight-reel variety and helped get the crowd into the game.
 
"He provides great energy," Williams said. "This is the third game in a row where he had a rundown block for us. He just ignites us. He is the lifeblood for us, and brings a lot of energy to the team."
 
Steven led Clarion with 16 points and five rebounds, while Justin Grant had 14 points, including 12 in the first half. Agurs and Matt D'Amico each added 12 tallies with D'Amico's setting a career high for the freshman from Pittsburgh's Fox Chapel High School. Andrews chipped in with eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
 
Palo had a game-high 20 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists for UPJ (9-10, 6-9), while Leahey added 19 points including going 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. Leahey also had seven rebounds. Nate Snodgrass chipped in with 15 points, and Ian Vescovi had 12 points, six boards and four assists.
 
Trailing by the 11 four minutes into the second half, Clarion went on a 17-5 run that saw D'Amico score six including an old-school 3-point play and a conventional triple, Grumley add five, including a 3-pointer, and Agurs four. The run gave the Golden Eagles a 61-60 lead with 11:47 to play.
 
The lead then changed hands four times with two ties over the next eight minutes before Clarion went ahead for good thanks to Stevens.
 
The Golden Eagles have a bit of time to enjoy the victory, as they are off now until Feb. 4 when Seton Hill comes to Tippin Gym.