CLARION, Pa. – Traveling to Indiana, Pennsylvania for a PSAC West match-up, the Clarion men's basketball team dropped an 82-61 decision to the Crimson Hawks on Thursday evening.
 
The loss drops Clarion to 5-18 overall and 3-15 in the PSAC while IUP improves to 22-2 overall and 15-2 in league play.
 
The Blue and Gold kept it close for much of the first half, shooting an impressive 40% from the floor but the Crimson Hawks shot lights out from the opening tip-off, shooting 58% from the field as well as an immaculate 58% from beyond the arc. Despite the hot shooting from IUP, the Golden Eagles trailed by just 12 points heading into the half.
 
Willem Brandwijk got the scoring started for the Crimson Hawks in the second half with a layup extending the lead to 14 points. A dunk by IUP's Jacobo Diaz at the 16:42 mark of the second half extended the Crimson Hawk lead to 16, but the Golden Eagles would claw their way back into the ballgame.
 
After a three-pointer from junior Elijah Cottrill, a jumper from Javontay Pipkin and a cold shooting streak by IUP mid-way through the second half, the Golden Eagles trailed by just 10 points at the 11:08 mark.
 
The Crimson Hawks would find that hot shooting hand late in the second half going on an 8-0 run to ultimately put the game out of reach for the Blue and Gold.  
 
On the day, Clarion shot 46% from the floor on 25 of 54 shooting, while IUP shot 56%, converting 31 of 55 attempts and knocking down 13 of 23 from beyond the arc.
 
The Crimson Hawks also held a 24-16 advantage on the defensive glass.
 
Clarion was led offensively by sophomore Khari Williams with 21 points on 9 of 13 shooting. Cottrill also had a strong game with 12 points and four rebounds. Big man Jonathan Williams also chipped in 11 points while Lawrence Lemon added two points and four rebounds.
 
Dante Lombardi had a game-high 21 points and nine assists to lead the Crimson Hawks, while Diaz added 20 points and eight boards on the night .
 
The Golden Eagles will conclude their two game road trip on Friday, February 23, when they travel to Edinboro to take on the Fighting Scots. Tip-off is set for 3 pm.