CLARION, Pa. — The Golden Eagles (9-4, 4-3 PSAC) soared past Slippery Rock (5-8, 3-4 PSAC) with a 72-67 victory at Tippin Gymnasium, fueled by a clutch 22-point burst in the fourth quarter. The win kicked off PSAC West play for the Golden Eagles. Clarion owned the paint, notching 42 points inside and narrowly out-rebounded The Rock, 42-40.
Arianna Seitz led the way for the Golden Eagles with a career-high 26-point performance, hitting 9 of 15 from the field.
Zoe Guice was right there with her, adding 23 points and dishing out five assists, while
Niah Smedley was a force on defense with nine rebounds and two blocks.
The win marked the third straight for Clarion this season and their fourth straight victory over Slippery Rock dating back to the 2023-24 season.
The game kicked off with both teams trading baskets, with several ties and lead changes. Seitz charged ahead with a layup and a free throw, nudging Clarion to a 3–2 lead just a minute in. The Golden Eagles held firm throughout the opening quarter, dominating the paint with 16 points to Slippery Rock's 8. Guice's buzzer-beater jumper sealed a slim 19–18 lead for Clarion at the end of the first.
In the second, Clarion picked up steam with Guice nailing a crucial three-pointer at the six-second mark, thanks to a slick assist from Smedley, breaking a tie and setting a 37–34 halftime score. Earlier, Clarion crafted a lead with Seitz's free throws and Guice's layup. Despite some turnovers, the Golden Eagles stayed sharp defensively, grabbing key rebounds and shutting down The Rock's scoring attempts.
Alyssa Terza tilted the balance with a pivotal three-pointer at 6:02 in the third, briefly reclaiming the lead. As The Rock pushed back, Guice's layup and subsequent free throw tied things up at 47. Another layup and free throw from Guice at 1:15 gave Clarion a slender lead, ending the third quarter with a 50–47 edge.
The Golden Eagles struck early in the fourth, launching a 5-0 run with a layup from Guice and a three-pointer by Seitz, stretching their lead to 55-47. As Slippery Rock fought to close the gap, consistent scoring from Seitz and Smedley kept the Golden Eagles comfortably ahead.
Even as The Rock made a late push, including a jumper from Kayley Joseph-Bernard at 0:32, Clarion held steady. Guice's clutch free throws in the closing seconds sealed the win. The Golden Eagles emerged victorious, 72-67.
