CLARION, Pa. – Three Golden Eagles scored 20 plus points in a come from behind victory Saturday afternoon as Clarion defeated the Salem Tigers 91-87. The win improves the blue and gold to 2-6 overall, while Salem falls to an even 3-3 on the year.

Senior forward Lawrence Lemon filled up the stat sheet, notching his best game to date, racking up a team high 24 points on 9 of 15 shooting and nine rebounds to go along with two steals, two blocks and two assists. 

Freshman guard Gerald Jarmon continued his stellar play, adding 23 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Mason Mraz added an impressive 21 points and five rebounds in 35 minutes of action, the most that he's seen all season long. 

Clarion started the game with a steady paced offensive attack, trading baskets with the Tigers throughout the entire first half. 

The Golden Eagles started the game on a 19-15 run, forcing Salem to take a timeout after Steve Kelly was able to find Mraz all alone in the corner for a trey. The Golden Eagles stretched their lead to six at the 13:03 mark with a jumper from Mekhi Reynolds, which came off a dish from Aaron Hilzendeger. 

The Tigers were able to even the score at 23 a piece midway through the first half and gained the lead momentarily, until Mraz evened the score once more with a dagger from deep. 

A few sloppy offensive possessions allowed Salem to pull ahead with just over two minutes left in the half, building a seven point lead heading into the break 46-39.

For the half Clarion shot a much improved 42% from the field and an even 50% from beyond the arc, while Salem shot above 50% from both field goal and three point.

The Golden Eagles started the second half much like the first, trading baskets with the Tigers. It wasn't until the 5:59 mark when the blue and gold were able to claw their way back within one basket. 

A fastbreak three from Mraz put Clarion down 75-73, but Salem was able to pick up back to back baskets from Jordan Forbes to go back up six points. 

After a deep three from Lemon and a layup from Mraz the blue and gold found themselves trailing 84-81 at crunch time with just 2:15 left in the ball game. 

Following an arrant pass from Forbes on the other end of the floor, Mraz continued to show why he shouldn't be left open from deep, burying another three, tying the game at 84 all. 

Trying to prevent the Golden Eagles from regaining the lead for the first time in the second half, Salem's D'Montez Owens fouled Jarmon as he crossed half court, allowing Jarmon to knock down both free throws to give Clarion the lead 86-84. 

Picking up the defensive intensity Reynolds was able to pick up a steal after the free throws that led to a foul and a pair of free throws for Kelly, who was automatic from the line, knocking both free throws down putting Clarion on top 88-84. 

The game was far from over as the Tigers raced to the other end of the floor and drilled a corner three with less than five seconds off of the shot clock to pull back within one point 88-87. 

With no timeouts remaining Salem had no choice but to foul Kaison Branch on the inbounds pass and the best free throw shooter for Clarion made his two free ones count, drilling both and putting Clarion ahead 89-87.

After a missed three pointer from Forbes, Reynolds put the game on ice, knocking down a pair of free throws of his own to reach the final mark of 91-87.

For the game Clarion shot an even 50% from the field and an even more impressive 55% from beyond the arc. Knocking down 14 of 23 free throws the Golden Eagles also shot 61% from the charity stripe.

Clarion will look to build on the win, on March 3rd when they play host to PSAC for Mercyhurst. Tip-off is slated for 7 pm.