CLARION, Pa. – The Clarion men's basketball team played Mercyhurst tight into the final minutes, but the Golden Eagles were unable to finish off the Lakers in falling 62-57 on Saturday afternoon.  The Golden Eagles (4-8, 2-6 PSAC) will be back in action on Wednesday when the go on the road to face Slippery Rock.
 
Khari Williams had team-highs with 18 points and eight rebounds in 37 minutes of action as Clarion nearly erased a second half deficit for the second time in as many games.  Elijah Cottrill finished with 12 points, six boards and a game-high four assists, while Javontay Pipkin scored 10 points.
 
The Lakers won the rebound battle 37-34 and took 22 more shots than the Golden Eagles, thanks in part to forcing 10 more turnovers (16-6) and pulling down 15 offensive rebounds.  The Golden Eagles outscored Mercyhurst at the free throw line by going 15-of-23, while the Lakers went just 9-of-20.
 
The game was a tight one as the lead changed nine different times and the score was tied another 11 times, as neither team separated from the other for long.  Mercyhurst went up 45-40 early in the second half but Clarion responded with a 6-0 run, with Cottrill capping the rally with a fast break layup at the 14:52 mark to put the Golden Eagles ahead.  Pipkin made a bucket in the paint to make it 50-48 with 9:52 left, and Williams put Clarion ahead for the last time with a three-pointer at the 6:18 mark that made it 55-54.  The Lakers finished the game on an 8-3 run, taking the 62-57 victory.
 
Mercyhurst looked to be in control of the game through the first half, taking an 11-point lead at the 5:30 mark.  Williams responded with a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, and from there it was the Golden Eagles who were in the driver's seat.  Pipkin and Williams sank six consecutive free throws to cut the lead to just 26-24, and RJ Laugand eventually tied it at 31 with a bucket in the paint.  Jonathan Williams kept it knotted up with a make at the 1:13 mark, and the Lakers led only by three points at the halftime break.