Sports

Fickel’s hot hand leads Clarion women’s basketball past IUP

An absolute thriller took place this past Saturday, Feb. 19, when Clarion women’s basketball team hosted Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Last time these two teams met, it was a total beat down. IUP handled Clarion easily, winning 72-46.

This game, however, was a much different story. IUP came out and scored the first couple buckets of the game.

Once again, freshman Emma Fickel got things rolling for Clarion, draining a three from the right side.

This was just the start for her, as she went on to hit five first-half three-pointers, and was the reason Clarion had a 32-25 halftime lead.

IUP came out with a burst of energy in the second half, scoring the first 10 points to take a 38-35 with 16:32 to go in the game.

As both teams traded baskets, Clarion found itself down 48-44 with 10:43 to play.

Then freshman Raven Jones hit Ann Deibert inside for a layup to cut the deficit to two.

On the next possession, Mackenzie Clark hit a huge three to give Clarion the lead back 49-48.

After two IUP free throws, Fickel hit another three to put Clarion back on top.

Junior Courtney Healy got into the act and hit a three, pushing the lead to five with 6:18 left.

On the other side, Katelyn Marshal for IUP was not going to let this game get away from her team without a fight.

Down the stretch, she split a pair of free throws, and hit a big three to close the gap to one with a little over two minutes to go.

With 1:24 remaining, Jones came down and threw up a crazy shot that went in and put Clarion up by three.

The final 55 seconds of the game would be decided at the foul line.

The score was knotted up at 60 with 0:29 to go in regulation.

Lauren Savulchak found herself back at the line with a chance to give Clarion the lead with 0:13 to go.

She connected on both and gave Clarion a 62-60 lead.

“I have been in a lot of game situations before,” Suvulchak said.

“It was my turn to step it up and get the job done. I was not only doing it for myself, but also for the team.”

Clarion was able to hold on for the final seconds, and knocked off the Crimson Hawks 63-60.

“This win means a lot to our team,” Clark said.

“We really wanted the win, and we went out there and gave everything we had. It showed how much we have improved in such little time.”

Healy was one of three to score in double digits, recording 11 points, seven rebounds and five blocks.

Clark played a phenomenal game recording a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Fickel was lights out in the first half, hitting 5-7 from three, and ended the game with six threes and 18 points.

Clarion will play their final game of the season this Saturday, Feb. 26, at Gannon University.