CLARION, Pa. – Despite a strong performance from their bench, the Clarion University women's basketball team suffered an 81-53 loss to California University (PA) at Tippin Gymnasium. This was the second of three consecutive home games for the Golden Eagles, who will conclude their homestand against Gannon University on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles' reserves made a significant impact, outscoring the Vulcans 29-21. Leading the charge were
Hannah Wilkerson and
DayLynn Thornton, both scoring in double figures. However, California (PA) dominated the boards, outrebounding Clarion 49-30, including 20 offensive rebounds, which translated into 28 second-chance points.
California (PA) started strong, taking a 15-6 lead in the first quarter. Clarion responded in the second quarter, reducing the deficit to six points midway through the period. A 7-2 run, fueled by
Arianna Seitz scoring seven consecutive points, brought the Golden Eagles closer. Seitz scored in the paint at the 5:49 mark and finished a fast break after
Zoe Guice stole the ball and passed to Thornton, who then found Seitz for a three-pointer in the left corner, making the score 24-16 with 5:32 remaining in the half.
Late in the second quarter, baskets from Seitz and Wilkerson kept the game close, with Wilkerson scoring at the 3:58 mark to cut the deficit to 29-22. However, the Vulcans closed the half with a 9-2 run, taking a 38-27 lead into halftime. Clarion managed to pull within 12 points at 47-35 in the third quarter, but they could not close the gap further as California (PA) secured the victory.
Seitz led Clarion with 13 points, followed by Wilkerson with 12 and Thornton with 10. Thornton also contributed four rebounds and two assists.
