GREENSBURG, Pa. — In a thrilling showdown at the McKenna Center, Clarion (8-8, 3-5 PSAC) eked out a nail-biting 87-85 double overtime victory over Seton Hill (12-4, 6-3 PSAC). The win marked the Golden Eagles' first ever win over the Griffins in Greensburg and their first win of any kind over Seton Hill since January 2022.
Gavin Cote was the one of the difference makers for the Golden Eagles after regulation. The guard had registered just three points through 40 minutes of action but exploded for eight points in the first and second overtimes, including a crucial three-pointer to kick off the scoring in the second extra period. He drove and scored with 1:38 left to go in the second overtime, making an off-balance layup with his right hand to give his team an 86-82 lead.
The Griffins made it 86-85 on an and-one by Gabe Gillespie, but the Griffin missed the free throw to let the Golden Eagles keep their lead.
Trey Nelson drew a foul on the other end and made one of two free throws to make it a two-point game, but Seton Hill had the ball and 14 seconds to potentially steal the win.
Jeremy Thomas II halted their first attempt with a blocked shot against Kedrick Curtis with two seconds left, and he swatted another shot on Curtis's final attempt for the win.
Nelson led with 23 points, knocking down three triples, and added seven steals, eight assists and seven rebounds. Thomas chipped in 17 points, grabbed 16 boards, and recorded two blocks and two steals.
Justice Easter also scored 17, with two steals and two assists, while
Cam Crockett provided a steady presence with 10 points and eight rebounds.
From the get-go, Clarion's defense was relentless, snatching seven steals and forcing Seton Hill into 10 early turnovers. Thomas and Nelson capitalized with fast-break points, keeping the Golden Eagles in the hunt. Though the Griffins jumped to an early lead, Clarion's grit in the paint and on fast breaks quickly closed the gap.
The Golden Eagles' offense thrived on sharp free-throw shooting and timely assists, keeping them neck-and-neck throughout the half. Cote's late three-pointer chipped away at the lead, and Nelson's buzzer-beating free throws meant Clarion trailed by just two, 36-34, at halftime.
As the second half unfolded, Nelson nailed a three-pointer, courtesy of Crockett's assist, trimming Seton Hill's lead. Clarion seized momentum, pouncing on Griffins' turnovers. Thomas's fast-break dunk, assisted by Nelson, tipped the scales in Clarion's favor.
Easter and Thomas kept the scoreboard ticking for Clarion, extending their lead momentarily. But Seton Hill wasn't done, battling back with a series of plays to keep it competitive. With time winding down, Nelson's clutch jumper and Crockett's tip-in tied it up at 68, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
The Golden Eagles kept their composure in the first overtime, as Easter sank a key three-pointer at 4:30, assisted by Crockett, reclaiming the lead at 71–70. Thomas's defensive rebound set up Cote for another three-pointer at 1:59, pushing Clarion ahead 76–73.
Seton Hill kept fighting, and Gabe Gillespie's free throws edged the Griffins ahead 79–78. But Nelson was ice-cold from the line, tying it at 79–79 with just ticks left on the clock.
