CLARION, Pa - Playing on their home court for the first time in two weeks, the Clarion men's basketball team delivered a 71-65 victory over visiting Mansfield University, Saturday night.

The Mounties jumped out to an early four-point lead to start the game but the Golden Eagles used a 11-0 run to take the lead at 36-15. Big man Jonathan Williams paced the Clarion offense in the first half, scoring 16 of his team-high 27 points to stake the Golden Eagles to a 40-26 halftime lead.

Sophomore guard Khari Williams found himself with a hot hand early scoring 10 of his 15 points in the first half. The Golden Eagles shot 48.8% from the floor in the first half, getting up and down the floor with urgency, helping them withstand the defensive pressure of the Mounties.

More lights out shooting to start the second half helped Clarion maintain their extensive lead, but the Mounties slowly started to shoot their way back into the game.

Mansfield would cut the lead to four points at 69-65 with  only three seconds left in the game, but that would be as close as they would get in the contest.

For the game, Clarion shot an outstanding 50.9% from the floor, converting 27 of 53 attempts, including 13 of 19 from the free throw line.

J. Williams nearly missed a double-double leading the Golden Eagles with 27 points, while grabbing nine boards and adding two blocks. K. Williams finished the night with 15 points to go along with eight rebounds and two assists.

Clarion really spread the scoring around, as Junior Stevan Rodriguez added 12 points and five rebounds, while Javontay Pipkin chipped in six points, while recording a team high six assists.  Elijah Cottrill and Lawrence Lemon rounded out an impressive list of scoring, as they both added four points on the night.

Clarion will get ready for a double-header weekend at home, as they host Millersville on Tuesday (Dec. 18^th) and Shippensburg on Wednesday (Dec. 19^th).  Both games are set for a 7:30 PM tip-off.