CLARION, Pa. — In a closely contested battle on Friday, the Golden Eagles o (7-6, 2-3 PSAC) fell just short against Shepherd (6-5, 3-2 PSAC), with a final score of 80-77. Despite dominating in the paint with a 50-24 advantage, Clarion couldn't quite close the gap against the Rams.
The Golden Eagles kicked off the first half with a burst of energy, led by
Jeremy Thomas II, who turned defense into offense with an early steal and layup. Their aggressive defense forced eight turnovers from the Rams, providing scoring opportunities.
Trey Nelson nailed a crucial 3-pointer to tighten the score to 25-19 midway through the half.
Yet, Shepherd managed to stay ahead, using a barrage of 3-pointers to maintain their lead. The Golden Eagles fought back with strong rebounding and transition play, highlighted by
Gavin Cote's 3-pointer that trimmed the deficit to 30-29 with 2:04 left in the half. Still, the Rams hit a late 3-pointer to head into halftime leading 35-29.
The Golden Eagles charged into the second half, quickly closing the gap. Cote's layup followed by
Justice Easter's defensive rebound and fast-break dunk shifted the momentum, giving the Golden Eagles a brief lead at 16:29. This surge was part of a spirited start that saw Clarion outmuscle the Rams in the paint. Thomas added his own alley-oop on the fast break, throwing down a pass from Nelson to make it a 43-40 lead.
Despite the relentless efforts from Nelson and Thomas, the Rams relied on steady free-throw shooting to regain control. Clarion's determination was evident as
Kendon Peebles snagged an offensive rebound for a crucial tip-in with just 59 seconds left, keeping the pressure on Shepherd.
In a nail-biting finish, Easter's 3-pointer with 8 seconds remaining kept the Golden Eagles within reach. However, the Rams' clutch free throws sealed their narrow victory. The game wrapped up with Shepherd narrowly ahead, 80-77, despite Clarion's tenacious comeback attempt.
Cote led the charge with 19 points, hitting 8 of 11 from the field and sinking three from deep. Nelson chipped in 13 points, maintaining a perfect record from the free-throw line and adding five assists. Easter contributed 13 points and grabbed five rebounds, bolstering the team's effort. Thomas was a force on the boards with 11 rebounds, adding 10 points and three steals to his tally.
