Clarion fell to Indiana University of Pennsylvania this past Sunday afternoon, but not due to lack of effort. It was a White-Out at Clarion University’s Waldo S. Tippen Gymnasium as hundreds of fans packed in to catch the game.

The Lady Eagles jumped out to a controlling 11-2 lead about 3:77 into the game, and went into the half leading 47-31. The first half was all Clarion, as the team shot 17-34 from the field.

However, the second half was a different story, as IUP came back from a 16-point deficit at the half to take the lead with 1:10 left in the game.

The Lady Eagles struggled, shooting only 7-28 in the second half, letting the Lady Hawks come back and edge Clarion in the end with a final score of 84-83.

Leading scorer for the Lady Eagles was Lizzie Suwala who scored 28 points. Following Suwala, was Rachel Graeff who bucketed 13 and Bethany Koch and Janelle Zabresky, each with 11.

Early out of the gates, Clarion jumped out to a 20-11 lead, less than ten minutes into the game with a Bethany Koch three-pointer.

Shortly following, Jillian Taylor connected with another 3, building on the lead, making it 25-17.

Another quick 3 by Koch and Clarion was up 30-21. Suwala connected for a three-pointer, stretching it out 36-23.
A pair of good free throws from Janelle Zabresky sent the Lady Eagles into the locker room for the half, up 47-31.

However, coming out of the locker room, IUP would slowly chip away at the lead and for the first time in the game, claim the lead with only a minute remaining.

Clarion called time out to regroup and with two good free throws from Zabresky, took back the lead making the score 83-82. However, with only seven seconds remaining, IUP’s Kiersten Filla connected for a layup, beating the Lady Eagles 84-83.

In an interview with Ashley Grimm, Clarion’s graduate assistant coach, she said she felt like the team played with a lot of heart and passion.

Grimm continued by saying, “With the games remaining in the season, the team needs to continue working hard, get back to full strength with their injured players, and continue battling.” Clarion sophomore Jillian Taylor commented, saying the team played super hard.
She said she felt as though the team gave up a couple good drives.

She explained, “The team’s goal is to keep their heads up and try to win some games, closing out the season.” Clarion sophomore guard Rachel Skolny injured her lower back near the end of the game as she went up for a rebound colliding with an opponent.

She commented, saying, “the team needs to remain positive and find a way to pull out a win in these close games.”
She said that the team needs to take the rest of the season, one game at a time.

The Clarion University women’s and men’s basketball doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday night against California has been postponed until Thursday because of the winter weather.

Tip-off times for Thursday are 6 p.m. for the women’s game.
The Blizzard II: “Return of the White Out” is still on Thursday night.
Students, faculty and staff get in free with their Clarion ID cards.