CLARION, Pa. — The Golden Eagles men's basketball team fell to East Stroudsburg, 86-61, on Tuesday night at Coach Cal Court at Tippin Gym. Clarion pushed back from an early slow start but were unable to match the pace of the Warriors after the latter's run to start the game.
Trey Nelson scored 23 points, including five 3-pointers, and added six rebounds and four assists.
Justice Easter contributed seven points while recording two blocks and two assists.
Michael Moore excelled defensively with three steals and two blocks, alongside eight rebounds.
Kendon Peebles added four points and made two steals and three assists.
The Warriors got off to a lightning-fast start, establishing an early 16–0 lead. Clarion's defense found some rhythm with Moore contributing a block at 12:31 and Nelson breaking the scoring ice with a fast-break 3-pointer at 10:57, narrowing the gap to 22–6. Despite this, the Golden Eagles continued to face challenges, with the Warriors maintaining a significant lead through efficient shooting and strong rebounding.
As the first half progressed, Clarion showed signs of life, with Nelson hitting another 3-pointer at 5:57, bringing the score to 29–17. Clarion's defense recorded multiple steals and blocks, slowing the opponent's momentum. Late in the half, Nelson secured a steal and shortly after added a jumper, but East Stroudsburg managed to maintain their advantage. The half concluded with Clarion trailing 43–29.
The second half began with Moore scoring a layup at 19:09, with an assist from Nelson, setting the pace for Clarion. Despite a series of missed opportunities, Nelson and
Justice Easter combined for a fast-break layup at 14:26, maintaining pressure on the visiting team. Nelson continued to contribute significantly, adding a 3-pointer at 13:42 and a layup at 13:10, keeping Clarion engaged in the contest.
As the half progressed,
Kendon Peebles connected on a 3-pointer at 8:45, with Easter providing the assist, sparking a brief scoring surge. Easter added another 3-pointer at 7:59, further contributing to Clarion's offense. Defensive efforts were highlighted by steals from
Michael Moore and
Aydan Cunningham, with Cunningham converting a fast-break layup at 3:08.
Despite these efforts, the Warriors maintained a scoring edge throughout the half, ending it with a 43-32 advantage.
