Zay Jackson Action Photo
Matt Mead Photography LLC
Senior Zay Jackson scored 22 points during the span of 5:06, including a 5-of-5 three-point chart during the onslaught.
68
Clarion CLAR-M 3-24, 0-21 PSAC
84
Winner Gannon University GAN-M 19-8, 15-6 PSAC
Clarion CLAR-M
3-24, 0-21 PSAC
68
Final
84
Gannon University GAN-M
19-8, 15-6 PSAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Clarion CLAR-M 35 33 68
Gannon University GAN-M 32 52 84

Next Game:

Slippery Rock University

2/24/2018 | 3:00 PM

Jet Radio 1400

Next Game

Full Schedule
Feb. 24 (Sat) / 3:00 PM
 Slippery Rock University

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Dan Teliski, Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations

Gannon Men's Basketball Team Survives Clarion Behind Late Explosion (Video)



THE RUNDOWN
  • Score: at Gannon 84, Clarion 68
  • Records: Gannon (19-8, 15-6 PSAC), Clarion (3-24, 0-21 PSAC)
  • Location: Erie, Pa. - Hammermill Center (Gary Miller Court)
  • The Short Story: The Gannon men's basketball team overcame a scare from last-place Clarion with a 38-15 run aided by 65.5-percent second-half shooting and earned an 84-68 victory Wednesday night at the Hammermill Center. Senior Zay Jackson (Queens, N.Y./Westside) led the late blitz by ripping off 22 points during the span of five minutes and six seconds.

GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Gannon scored six of the game's first eight points, but it was Clarion that controlled the remainder of the first half.
  • The Golden Eagles answered the Golden Knights' opening run with nine consecutive points to assume an 11-6 lead nearly six minutes into the contest.
  • Leading 11-10, Clarion ripped off another 9-0 blitz to forge ahead 20-10 midway through the first half.
  • Gannon countered with a 9-0 run of its own to climb within 20-19 at the 7:19 mark. Junior Evan Phoenix (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) scored four of those points on back-to-back lay-ups.
  • Moments later, the Golden Knights regained the lead on a Jackson three-pointer that gave the home team a 24-22 edge with 4:49 showing on the clock.
  • Clarion took the lead back with consecutive baskets and eventually went to halftime with a 35-32 advantage.
  • The opening five minutes and six seconds of the second half featured three ties and four lead changes as both teams tried to gain momentum.
  • Gannon finally grabbed the lead for good on a jumper by Phoenix at the 14:39 mark, giving the Golden Knights a 44-43 lead.
  • It was the start of 10 straight points. Phoenix netted the first eight, before Jackson cashed in a jumper.
  • Gannon's lead sat at 52-46, before the deciding explosion. The Golden Knights generated a 38-15 run over the span of six minutes and 41 seconds. The stretch was ignited by Jackson who tallied 22 points in five minutes and six seconds.
  • A dunk by senior Jair Green (Williamstown, N.J./Paul VI) was the only two points that didn't belong to Jackson during his personal onslaught. Jackson went 5-of-5 from three-point range during the run.
  • Gannon held an 80-58 lead when the dust settled with 3:30 remaining.
  • Clarion managed to score 10 of the final 14 points, before the Golden Knights secured an 84-68 victory.

GAME NOTES
  • Jackson led Gannon in scoring for the 15th time this season with a career-high 29 points, hitting 10-of-18 shots and 6-of-10 three-pointers.
  • Phoenix recorded his 10th double-double of the season and 18th of his two-year Golden Knight career with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
  • Damon Miraud (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) completed Gannon's trio of double-digit scorers with 13 points and five rebounds.
  • Green finished with seven points, seven rebounds, a career-high six assists and only one turnover in 33 minutes.
  • Redshirt sophomore Frank Webb Jr. (Baltimore, Md./Our Lady of Mount Carmel) had seven points while posting career-highs in assists (5) and steals (4).
  • Gannon shot 51.6 percent (33-64) from the field, including a 65.5-percent (19-29) clip during the second half. The Golden Knights shot 42.9 percent (6-14) from three-point range and 70.6 percent (12-17) from the free throw line. 
  • Cameron Crumley topped the Clarion scoring attack with 25 points.
  • Brandon Williams and Maqi Watson added 14 and 11 points, respectively.
  • Clarion shot 53.8 percent (28-52) from the floor, including a 62.5-percent (15-24) clip during the first half. The Golden Eagles shot 47.4 percent (9-19) from behind the arc and 60 percent (3-5) from the charity stripe.
  • Wednesday's contest featured eight lead changes and seven ties.
  • Gannon forced 23 Clarion turnovers, leading to a 36-12 scoring edge in points off turnovers.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
  • Gannon extended its home win streak to 12 games, representing the program's longest home win streak since having 12 straight victories December 14, 2013-November 19, 2014.
  • The Golden Knights defeated the Golden Eagles for the fifth consecutive time and 22nd time in the last 24 encounters.
  • Clarion dropped its 19th consecutive game at the Hammermill Center where it hasn't won since an 83-80 victory in the 1981 Porreco Cup championship game.
  • Gannon improved to 39-13 all-time against Clarion, including a 25-3 mark at the Hammermill Center.
  • The Golden Knights out-rebounded their opponent for the 25th time in 27 games.
  • Jackson reached double digits in scoring for the ninth consecutive game while Phoenix did so for the fifth straight contest.
  • Gannon shot 50 percent or better for the 11th time this season, resulting in a victory every time. The Golden Knights have reached the standard in three consecutive games and four times during the last five contests.
  • The Golden Knights shot 60 percent during the second half for the third consecutive game.
  • Gannon won for the second consecutive game and fifth time this season when trailing at halftime.
  • The Golden Knights improved to 13-3 in the months of January and February.
  • Gannon was ranked 10th in the latest NCAA Division II Atlantic regional rankings released Wednesday afternoon.
  • The Golden Knights were eliminated from contention for the PSAC Western Division No. 1 seed Wednesday night with IUP's victory against Edinboro.
  • Gannon improved to 121-9 when reaching the 80-point plateau during the last 15 seasons. The Golden Knights are now 6-0 when scoring at least 80 points this season and 66-5 all-time under head coach John T. Reilly.
  • The Golden Knights dished out at least 20 assists for the eighth time this season.
  • Clarion's 23 turnovers were the most by a Gannon opponent since Shepherd matched that total at the Hammermill Center on December 13, 2013.

UP NEXT
  • Gannon concludes the regular season Saturday, February 24 against Slippery Rock at the Hammermill Center.
  • The contest is scheduled for 3 p.m.
  • It will be Senior Day as Green, Jackson, Miraud and Gerrell Williams (Lorain, Ohio/Clearview) will be honored during pregame festivities.
  • Saturday's game will be a winner-take-all for second place in the PSAC Western Division and the final PSAC Tournament first-round bye.
  • Gannon and Slippery Rock have split their last two season series with each holding serve on their home court. A Golden Knight victory on Saturday would extend that streak to three seasons.
  • The Rock already owns a 72-61 home win against the Golden Knights on January 24.
  • Gannon leads the all-time series 28-16, including a 19-5 mark at the Hammermill Center.
  • The Golden Knights have won six consecutive home games against Slippery Rock.
  • The Rock's last victory at the 'Mill was a 62-58 overtime decision during the 2013 PSAC Quarterfinals. 
  • The Gannon-Slippery Rock contest can be heard live on Jet Radio 1400 and via the 90.5 WERG online stream at www.wergfm.com.
  • Outlets to follow the game include a live video broadcast (https://portal.stretchinternet.com/gannon) and live gameday statistics (http://www.sidearmstats.com/gannon/mbball).
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Players Mentioned

Jair Green

#21 Jair Green

G
6' 4"
Senior
Interdisciplinary Studies
Zay Jackson

#3 Zay Jackson

G
6' 0"
Senior
Criminal Justice
Damon Miraud

#23 Damon Miraud

G/F
6' 5"
Senior
Criminal Justice
Evan Phoenix

#2 Evan Phoenix

F
6' 9"
Junior
Marketing
Gerrell Williams

#5 Gerrell Williams

G
6' 3"
Senior
Criminal Justice
Frank Webb Jr.

#1 Frank Webb Jr.

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Criminal Justice

Players Mentioned

Jair Green

#21 Jair Green

6' 4"
Senior
Interdisciplinary Studies
G
Zay Jackson

#3 Zay Jackson

6' 0"
Senior
Criminal Justice
G
Damon Miraud

#23 Damon Miraud

6' 5"
Senior
Criminal Justice
G/F
Evan Phoenix

#2 Evan Phoenix

6' 9"
Junior
Marketing
F
Gerrell Williams

#5 Gerrell Williams

6' 3"
Senior
Criminal Justice
G
Frank Webb Jr.

#1 Frank Webb Jr.

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Criminal Justice
G