CLARION, Pa. – The Clarion women's basketball team dropped a decision at home on Wednesday evening, falling 82-59 to the Edinboro Fighting Scots at Tippin Gym.  The Golden Eagles (4-20, 2-15 PSAC) will be back on the road for two straight games before closing their season with two games at home against Cal U and IUP.
 
Clarion started the game by shooting well, going 5-of-12 in the first quarter, but it was Edinboro who turned things on in the last three quarters, and their offensive prowess made the difference in the contest.  Emily Hegedus led all Clarion players with 13 points, including an efficient 7-of-12 night from the free throw line.  Yasmin Lewis recorded her fifth double-double of the season and second in as many games with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Celeste Ryman also scored 10 points.  Neely Whitehead made her first career start and contributed eight points, two rebounds and a steal.
 
The Golden Eagles held the lead for a portion of the first quarter, taking an 8-4 advantage three minutes in thanks to a fast break basket from Ke'Airah Massiah.  Lewis made a jumper from just inside the arc at the 3:32 mark to keep Clarion ahead 11-10, but Michaela Barnes scored on the ensuing possession to keep the Fighting Scots ahead for good.  Barnes ended up with a game-high 28 points, while teammate Bridgette Shaffer scored 24 points of her own.
 
Edinboro increased their lead in the second quarter but the game never got out of hand, as Lewis made jumpers on back-to-back possessions to end the half.  Shaffer scored with six seconds left in the second to put the Fighting Scots ahead 44-31 at the break, but Lewis cut the lead back down to eight points at the 6:24 mark of the third. 
 
That was the closest Clarion came the rest of the way, though, as the Fighting Scots extended the lead to as many as 19 points in the period. The advantage eventually cracked the 20-point barrier and stayed that way through to the conclusion.