CLARION, Pa. – Jordan Bekelja scored a game-high 19 points and Tyra Polite recorded a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, and the Clarion women's basketball team defeated the Mercyhurst Lakers 62-55 Saturday night at Tippin Gymnasium.  A strong fourth-quarter effort allowed the Golden Eagles to edge out the strong defensive showing from the Lakers.  The Golden Eagles are now 8-16 overall and 8-10 in PSAC play.
 
Bekelja lead the way for the Golden Eagles with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting and added five assists to help lift the offensive attack over the Lakers.  The Golden Eagle defense excelled by playing aggressively all night, forcing 21 Mercyhurst turnovers and converting them into 19 points. 
 
Polite led both teams with 10 boards on the night as she recorded the double-double, and Tania Holmes was the third Golden Eagle to crack double-digits with 12 points in 34 minutes of action.  Jen Straw came off the bench for seven points and six rebounds.
 
The biggest difference came in the fourth quarter where the Golden Eagles trailed the Lakers 42-37 to start the period.  Polite drained a three-pointer to start the quarter and Bekelja hit a three-pointer with 6:31 remaining to put Clarion ahead by a 45-44 score.  Holmes drilled a trey on the next possession to make it 48-44, and Taylor Moltz capped the exceptional 16-2 run with a transition three-pointer from the corner to make it a 53-44 edge.  The Golden Eagles did not trail the remainder of the game as they cruised to the win.
 
The Golden Eagles took a 20-13 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to a quick start.  Bekelja capped a 15-8 run with a jumper at the 2:56 mark, and Polite banked in a jumper at the buzzer to close out the first period of action.
 
Mercyhurst took the lead with a 19-3 run in the second quarter, giving the Lakers a 32-24 advantage after 20 minutes of action.  Though the Lakers did not relinquish the lead in the third period, the Golden Eagles improved and cut into the opponent's lead.  The deficit was as small as three points in the third quarter after a hook shot from Straw, and Holmes made it just a 42-37 game with a jumper with 0:38 remaining.