The Clarion Golden Eagles comeback came up just shy in their conference semifinal match-up with Kutztown on March 5.
The Golden Eagles knew they had their hands full after already losing to Kutztown earlier in the season when they were ranked number two in the nation.
Kutztown got out to a hot start against the Golden Eagles, getting out to a quick 21-9 lead 7:23 into the first half. Clarion trailed by double digits for nearly all 20 minutes of the first half, and things were not looking good at all.
Kutztown out-shot Clarion from the field 52.8 percent to 29-7 percent in the first half, and went into the locker room with a 45-30 lead at the half.
With their season in jeopardy, the Golden Eagles needed a near miracle to pull out the win.
After both teams exchanged baskets for the first five minutes of the second half, Clarion started to make their run.
With 12:42 remaining in the game, Clarion got within their closest since the opening minutes at 54-49 on a Jamar Harrison lay-up.
With 8:19 remaining in the game Clarion cut their deficit to one on a Paul McQueen lay-up.
Just like that, Clarion was right back in the game.
Clarion hung right in there with Kutztown down the stretch as they kept the deficit to within three points going into the final minutes.
All it took was one empty possession that would doom the Golden Eagles. Down by three points, Shameel Carty was unable to get a shot off to tie the game.
Kutztown went 6-6 from the free throw line in the final minute to seal the 85-79 victory.
Clarion shot an astonishing 69 percent in the second.
Leading the Golden Eagles was Carty with 20 points. Jamar Harrison and Denzil Dennison recorded 16 points and 14 points respectively.
Lloyd Harrison and McQueen each chipped in 12 points to round out the players scoring in double figures.
The Golden Eagles finished the season at 18-11 and in second place in the PSAC-West conference.
They became the first Clarion team since 1997 to win a home playoff game.
Everyone will be returning from this year’s team except for lone senior Greg Parker.
Transfers Lloyd and Jamar Harrison were honored with their outstanding play this year with being named to the second team PSAC-West honorees.
Lloyd Harrison averaged 14.9 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 4.6 assists per game, and 2.7 steals per game for the Golden Eagles this year.
Teammate Jamar Harrison led the team with 15.6 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, 1.9 steals per game and 2.1 assists per game.
