CLARION, Pa. — The Clarion Golden Eagles (12-15, 7-12 PSAC) faced a tough challenge on Wednesday, falling to fifth-ranked Gannon (25-2, 18-1 PSAC) with a final score of 124-73 at Coach Cal Court in Tippin Gym. Despite the outcome, the Golden Eagles showed grit, particularly with their 32 points in the paint.
Trey Nelson led the charge for Clarion with 12 points, four steals, and five assists, showcasing his two-way play.
Gavin Cote shined with 17 points, including four 3-pointers, and added three rebounds.
Jeremy Thomas II put up 15 points, hitting 7 of 10 from the field, and grabbed four boards.
Aydan Cunningham chipped in with seven points, five rebounds, one block, and a steal.
The game tipped off with Nelson scoring a quick layup at 19:02, giving Clarion an early boost. But Gannon's sharp shooting quickly shifted the momentum, embarking on a scoring spree that mixed inside plays with long-range shots. The Golden Eagles kept battling, highlighted by a 3-pointer from
Cam Crockett at 14:48 and another from Cote at 8:22, yet the Golden Knights' dominance on the boards and fast breaks kept them ahead.
Clarion's defensive stand was marked by a notable block from Thomas at 3:33. The team showed resilience, especially in transition, with
Kendon Peebles making a fast-break layup and sinking free throws to chip away at the lead. Still, the Golden Knights ended the first half strong, leading 64-35.
Clarion came out firing in the second half, with a thrilling fast break dunk by Thomas, assisted by Nelson, at 19:00. The Golden Eagles pushed back with contributions like Nelson's three-pointer and consistent scoring from Thomas. Their knack for exploiting fast breaks and scoring in the paint shone through, as Thomas added several layups to the tally.
Despite these efforts, Clarion struggled with turnovers that Gannon capitalized on to widen their lead. Even with Cote's impressive stretch of consecutive threes between 8:27 and 7:43, Gannon's relentless defense and scoring prowess kept the game out of reach. The final whistle blew with Gannon ahead 124-73, as the Golden Eagles continued to fight through the defensive pressure and turnovers.
