Sports

Clarion men’s basketball comeback attempt falls short

The Golden Eagle men’s basketball team’s role of comeback kids fell
short this past Saturday night when they traveled to Indiana Univeristy
of Pennsylvania to take on the No. 13 Crimson Hawks in a PSAC West
matchup.

The Eagles were in a hole early while shooting only 30 percent (9-of-
30) from the field and 14 percent (1-of-7) from beyond the arc in the
first half.

While the Eagles’ shooting woes became prevalent, the Hawks took
advantage and caught fire in shooting 65 percent (17-of-26) from the
field and 44 percent (4-of-9) from the three-point line and gave
themselves a 20-point cushion on the Eagles going into the half.

The Hawks lead reached 22 early into the second half, but the Eagles
went on a 36-11 run of their own coming all the way back to take a 59-
56 lead with six minutes left in the game.

“At halftime I told them to break the second half down in increments.
At the 15 minute mark we wanted to be down 15, the 10 minute mark down
10, the 5 minute mark down 5,” said Head Coach Ron Righter. “We were
right there.”

Senior Paul McQueen and freshman Winfield Willis led the charge during
the run scoring eight points each.

IUP fired right back at the Eagles going on an 8-0 run to take a 64-59
lead with 1:32 left to play.

The back-and-forth trend continued with Quintus “Bud” Teer’s three-
point play to bring Clarion within two.

After two IUP free throws, Willis hit a three- pointer to bring
Clarion within one.

A last-second desperation shot by McQueen rattled off the rim bringing
the Eagles three points short.

The Eagles were led by Willis’ 17 points, three rebounds, and two
steals.

McQueen added 15 points along with eight rebounds, two assists and
three steals.

Sophomore Mike Kromka led the Eagles on the boards with nine rebounds.

Willis reached 369 points for the season, which is the third most
points scored by a Clarion freshman since 1970.

Willis is the Eagles’ leading scorer this season averaging 16.8 points
per game and is the leading freshman scorer in the PSAC this season.

“Winn (Willis) is a very mature freshman and one of the top freshman in
the conference,” said Righter.

Righter also said that Willis’ success has come as no surprise to him.
In the two meetings with IUP this season the Eagles have lost both
games by a combined total of eight points.

Righter has come to expect these kind of games when these two teams
match up.

“IUP and Clarion is always a war. We have great respect for their
program ,and I know they feel the same. It’s a big-time rivalry,”
Righter said.

The Eagles will take the court this Saturday in a PSAC West game
against the Gannon Knights in Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.