The Clarion men’s basketball team opened its season on Tuesday night against PSU-New Kensington. Clarion played an overall complete game, winning by a score 124-50.
The Golden Eagles set the record for the highest field goal percentage, 66.7 percent (48 for 72), in Tippin gym since this stat became official.
The 74-point margin of victory also was the largest margin at Tippin gym under Coach Ron Righter.
Also, the 124 points was the seventh most under Coach Righter.
The Golden Eagles got off to a quick start, controlling all assets of the game in the first half.
Just a minute into the game, guard Jamar Harrison got the crowd on its feet with a breakaway two handed dunk.
The game stayed close within the first six minutes of the game, before Clarion blew the game wide open.
Over the final 10 minutes of the game, the Golden Eagles went on a 40-6 run to go into the half 62-24.
A huge contributor to this run, was the percentage of three pointers they were able to make (7 for 11).
The offense showed no signs of slowing down in the second half, increasing both their field goal percentage and three point percentages from the first half.
There were three players who scored more than 20 points in the 124-50 win over PSU-New Kensington.
The high scorers on the game were junior guard Shameel Carty and freshman guard playing in his first collegiate game, Brandyn Mungo, who scored 22 points apiece.
“It wasn’t nothing unusual I been playing basketball pretty much all my life so it just feels all the same. I was just really feeling it tonight,” stated Mungo.
The best all around performance would have to go to junior guard Jamar Harrison, also playing in his first game.
Harrison recorded 21 points, including three outstanding dunks, along with five steals, assists, and rebounds.
Carty ended up shooting 100 percent on the night (9 for 9), as well as seven assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
“We just made sure we took high percentage shots. All the guys are always in the weight room and doing extra shooting at every practice so we know we can make our shots. We just have a lot of confidence in each other,” stated Carty.
Clarion junior guard Mike Sherry and freshman point guard Jordan Lassane both added 11 points each, giving the Golden Eagles five players that scored in double figures.
The Golden Eagles will look to continue their hot shooting at the Shepherd Invitation this upcoming weekend in West Virginia.
“We need to work more on our defense and make sure we cut down on our turnovers and we should be good. We also just need to continue to make our shots like we know we can,” said Carty.
The team will play Friday night at 7 p.m. against Shepherd, and end the tournament on Saturday afternoon versus Central State (Ohio) at 3 p.m.
