CLARION, Pa. — The Clarion Golden Eagles (11-11, 6-8 PSAC) earned an important victory on Senior Day, overcoming a second half effort by Seton Hill (13-9, 7-8 PSAC) to take an 82-76 overtime victory over the Griffins on Saturday in Tippin Gymnasium. A commanding first half, punctuated by 49 points and 16 steals, set the tone for Clarion's triumph, but it took a late run in overtime to lock up the win.
Clarion led by as many as 20 points in the first half, opening up a commanding lead on Seton Hill in the first 20 minutes. That lead evaporated over the course of the second half, with the Griffins taking a 73-70 lead with 34 seconds remaining after a tip-in by Dean Simos.
Ricky Goode-Wright countered that with a quick three-pointer on the opposite end, tying the score at 73 with a shot from the left win. The Golden Eagles forced a turnover on the defensive end and
Trey Nelson's attempted buzzer-beater from inside half court rimmed out, sending the game to overtime.
Seton Hill scored the first three points of the overtime period, going ahead 76-73 after a layup by Camden Brewer, but that was the last time they filled the scoresheet as the Golden Eagles scored nine straight to clinch the win.
Jeremy Thomas II tipped in an offensive board to cut the lead to 76-75, and on the next offensive possession rushed down the court for a fast break layup off Goode-Wright's assist pass.
Justice Easter polished off an and-one to give the Golden Eagles an 80-76 lead and Thomas put the cherry on top with 32 seconds remaining, stealing the ball from Brewer and throwing down a monstrous dunk.
Easter led the team in scoring with 15 points, making six field goals, and also added two steals. Thomas recorded a double-double, contributing 12 points, 15 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.
Trey Nelson recorded 11 points, five assists, and four steals, while
Aydan Cunningham chipped in nine points, including three from beyond the arc, along with a block.
Jayden Statum came off the bench for seven points.
The Golden Eagles burst out of the gate with an impressive offensive display, starting with Thomas's layup just 57 seconds into the game. A flurry of fast breaks and three-pointers, including a standout shot from Easter at 15:32, helped Clarion build momentum. Their defense was relentless, racking up eight steals and five blocks to maintain control throughout the half.
Clarion's depth shone through, with bench players adding 23 points. The team dominated the paint, outscoring Seton Hill 22-14. The half concluded with a clutch 3-pointer from
Kendon Peebles in the final minute, securing a 49-33 lead for the Golden Eagles going into the break.
The second half saw Clarion's defense remain steadfast, as Thomas snagged an early defensive rebound. Despite a few missed shots, the Golden Eagles kept their cool. Easter's offensive rebound, though leading to a missed tip-in, was a testament to their persistence. A pivotal moment came with
Cam Crockett's layup and free throw, extending the lead to 52-39.
Cunningham's three-pointer, assisted by Nelson, and a steal followed by an Easter dunk pushed Clarion further ahead at 54-45.
Gavin Cote's back-to-back threes and a layup from
Michael Moore maintained a 62-50 advantage. The Griffins fought back, but Nelson's fast-break jumper kept Clarion up 64-58 for the time being.
