CLARION, Pa - Making their return to John Calipari Court at Tippin Gymnasium, the Clarion men's basketball team kept the visiting Cal U Vulcans on the ropes all night long, but fell just short, dropping the PSAC conference matchup by a final score of 75-67. The loss moves the Golden Eagles just under .500 with an overall record of 6-7 and a conference record of 2-6. 

Clarion will look to move back to even in their record when thet host the IUP Crimson Hawks on Saturday, January 22nd. Tip-off is slated for 3 pm, following the women's game at 1 pm. 

Guard Gerald Jarmon led the Blue and Gold in scoring, notching 22 points on 7 of 19 shooting in 33 minutes of action. Both Lawrence Lemon and Connor Ferrell finished just one rebound shy of double-doubles, as Lemon finished with 15 points and nine boards, while Ferrell ended the game with 14 points to go along with nine rebounds. point guard Mekhi Reynolds finished the game with a team high four assists, six rebounds and five points. 

For the night, Clarion shot 35% from the field, 27% from beyond the arc and 70% from the free throw line. 

Both teams traded shots to start the first half as neither team was able to build a lead larger than three points. 

Clarion was able to grab the lead momentarily, just under the 14 minute mark after Lemon made a layup to put the Golden Eagles up 14-13. Lemon put Clarion up two possessions after knocking down an uncontested three pointer in transition, making the score 17-13. 

The Golden Eagle offense really started to gain traction around the 7:33 mark, as Jarmon buried a deep three to make the score an even 26 all. After a Steve Kelley grabbed a rebound and found a streaking Lemon who knocked down another three putting Clarion ahead 29-26.

Kelly got in on the scoring party, knocking down a three pointer of his own off of an assist from Reynolds as Clarion stretched their lead to six points. Kelly forced a steal and turnover on the next Cal U possession, as Clarion held a commanding lead 32-26 at the media timeout. 

Coming out of the media timeout, the Vulcans went on a run of their own, scoring seven straight points on their way to a seven point halftime lead as Cal U held the lead 42-35.

The Vulcans continued their hot shooting coming out of teh locker room to start the second half as they stretched their lead to as big as 14 points. 

Using great defense to generate even better offense, Clarion clawed back from teh deficit pulling back within four points midway through the last frame with the score 57-53. 

Cal U's Zyan Collins had a jumper blocked by Ferrell at the 9:53 mark and after Kelly grabbed the rebound, he found Reynolds on a fastbreak for an easy layup putting Clarion back within just one basket. 

Jordan Agyemang made a single free throw to put Clarion down just one and after a transition basketball by the Vulcans, Lemon tied the game with yet another three pointer to make the game 59-59. 

Clarion was able to grab the lead for a short moment after Kaison Branch forced a steal and Jarmon was fouled in transition, the sure shooter knocked down a pair of free throws, giving Clarion a two point lead 61-59 with just over seven minutes left in regulation. 

After a three pointer from do it all guard Brent Pelgram made the score 62-62 in favor of the visiting team, the Vulcans took the lead and never looked back as they continued to make baskets, building an their lead to the final score of 75-67.