JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The Clarion men's basketball team faced its toughest test of the late season on Saturday, falling by a score of 78-52 to Pitt-Johnstown at the Johnstown Sports Center. The Golden Eagles fall to 5-20 overall and 4-15 in PSAC play, while UPJ improves to 20-6 overall and 14-5 in the PSAC. Clarion will try to rebound on Wednesday when they head to Gannon to take on the Golden Knights.

Both teams suffered from huge amounts of turnovers, Clarion committing 17 giveaways,while the Mountain Cats had 11 turnovers. Pitt-Johnstown was able to convert those Golden Eagle mistakes though, outscoring Clarion 18-9 in points off turnovers. The Bald Eagles also shot lights-out from beyond the three-point line, going 8-of-9 (42%).

Elijah Cottrill had a team-high 12 points in 30 minutes played, followed by Kaison Branch, who had 11 points. Godspower Ogide proved tough in the paint for the third straight game tallying seven points, three boards and two blocks. Stevan Rodriguez came off the bench to score six points and grab four rebounds, while James Price added six points in relief.

Clarion opened the game with a layup from Ogide but the Mountain Cats were ready to pounce going on an 8-0 in the first three minutes of the game. UPJ built the lead to as large as 21 points throughout the first half after Donovian Maxfield made a layup in the paint.

Clarion answered the bell with a three pointer from Branch but Adam Kline answered with a pair of free throws and the end of the half to give the Mountain Cats a 48-28 lead heading into the halftime break.

Branch started the second half much like he ended the first hitting a three pointer to try and spark the Clarion offense but the lead was just too insurmountable. 

The lead continued to quickly increase to the high double-digits but Clarion responded again late, cutting it to 68-46 on a jumper beyond the arc by Cottrill. The Mountain Cats kept the offensive pressure though as the lead continued to grow. UPJ led by as many as 28 points with just over one minute left to play in the game until Kass Taylor scored the last four points of the game on a pair of free throws and a layup.   

Clarion heads to Erie to take on Gannon on February 19. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm.