BOWIE, Md. --- Cam Kearney stepped to the free throw line with just 3.6 seconds left in the game and the Golden Eagles were down by one point. He calmly knocked down both free throws, giving the Golden Eagles a 78-77 comeback victory over the Bowie State Bulldogs. Kearney was perfect at the foul line all night, hitting all eight free throws and finishing with a game-high of 21 points.
 
The Golden Eagles were down 72-66 and went on an 8-0 scoring run with just under four minutes remaining in the game. The run was sparked by a Jeremy Thomas II offensive rebound that was kicked out to Justice Easter for an open catch-and-shoot three. The duo of Easter and Thomas II teamed up again on the next possession when Easter grabbed a rebound, took the ball coast-to-coast, and dropped it off to Thomas II for a layup. Gavin Cote put Clarion in the lead when he launched a three-pointer from the right corner, giving the Golden Eagles a 74-72 advantage with just 2:24 left on the clock.
 
Easter came up huge again for Clarion when he skied for an offensive rebound and finished with a layup to give the Golden Eagles a two-point lead with 47 seconds left. The Bulldogs converted on three of four foul shots in the final moments to take a 77-76 advantage. The aggressive Bowie defense tried to steal the ball from Kearney, but Corey Barnes fouled him with 3.6 seconds left on the clock. Kearney hit both free throws to give the Golden Eagles the win.
 
Clarion was excellent on the offensive boards all night, grabbing 28 offensive rebounds that led directly to 17 second-chance points. Thomas II was huge on the glass with seven offensive rebounds and a total of 13 on the night, earning his first double-double of the season. The Golden Eagles excelled from the free-throw line, going 17-18 from the charity stripe, including the game-winning foul shots.
 
Clarion was also effective from behind the arc, shooting 55.0% and hitting 11 of their 20 attempts. Kearney led the way, hitting all three of his three-point attempts, followed by a quartet of Golden Eagles who each made two three-pointers.
 
The bench played a crucial role in the Golden Eagles' victory, with Easter, Josiah Dow, and Traedon Gray all contributing significantly. Easter scored 12 points, added five rebounds, and recorded four steals. Dow and Gray both made a huge impact in the first half, scoring six points apiece before finishing the game with eight points each. Gray also contributed eight rebounds.
 
The first half saw the Golden Eagles struggle against the full-court pressure defense of the Bulldogs, who forced 11 turnovers that resulted in 20 points for Bowie State. The Bulldogs also blocked four shots in the first half, leading to more fast-break opportunities. Clarion countered the physical defense with strong three-point shooting and effective free-throw shooting. The Golden Eagles hit six shots from beyond the arc and made 11 of their 12 free-throw attempts in the first half, staying within striking distance of the Bulldogs and trailing by just five at the break.
 
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