CANTON, OH - Making their return to the court for the first time in the 2020-21 season, the Clarion men's basketball team fell on the road to host Malone by a final score of 92-74. The Golden Eagles start the young season out 0-1, 0-0 in the PSAC, while the Pioneers improve to 1-5, 0-4 GMAC. 

Redshirt-Sophomore Mason Mraz led the way for the Golden Eagles. Knocking down 5 of 10 shots for 14 points, while grabbing a team high 8 rebounds and 3 steals in 25 minutes of action. 

Lawrence Lemon added 11 points and six rebounds in his return for the Blue and Gold, while floor general Kaison Branch and returning sophomore forward Jordan Agyemang added 10 points a piece for Clarion.  

Second year Head Coach Damian Pitts, put his freshmen class to an early test as newcomers Gerald Jarmon and Steve Kelly both started their first career game for the Golden Eagles each adding 9 points in the contest. 

From the opening tip, Malone's long distance shooting proved to be too potent for Clarion as the Pioneers raced out to a 31-14 lead after Bo Myers buried a three pointer on the fast break. Lemon answered with a layup of his own on the opposite end of the floor cutting the Pioneer lead to 15 and Aaron Hilzendeger pulled Clarion within 12 when he buried a three pointer of his own cutting the score to 31-19. 

Scoring mainly from beyond the arc, Malone stretched their first half lead to 55-31 heading into the half on the back of 7 of 14 shooting from three point land. 

Trading two's for three's in the second half Malone stretched their lead to as big as 36 points but the Golden Eagles continued to claw their way back into the ballgame. Going on a 7-0 stretch midway through the second half, the Golden Eagles proved solid from the charity stripe, making 5 of 7 cutting the lead to 83-55. After a layup by Mraz, Clarion cut the lead to 18 but that is all the closer they would get for the remainder of the game. 

Malone's Marus Ernst scored a game high 18 points pacing the Pioneer offense to the win. 

The Golden Eagles return to action on Friday, January 22 when they host Roberts Wesleyan at Tippin Gymnasium. Tip-off is slated for 7 pm.