Nigel Haughton
Jeff Kirik
81
Clarion Clar 7-18,5-14 PSAC
100
Winner Gannon Gannon 23-2,17-2 PSAC
Clarion Clar
7-18,5-14 PSAC
81
Final
100
Gannon Gannon
23-2,17-2 PSAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Clarion Clar 39 42 81
Gannon Gannon 46 54 100

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Back-to-Back Tipton 3-Pointers Ignite Second-Half Run as Gannon Wins 12th Straight Game with 100-81 Win over Clarion

ERIE, Pa. – Five players scored in double figures and 27 forced turnovers paced Gannon to a 100-81 win over Clarion (7-18, 5-14 PSAC West) on Saturday afternoon at Hagerty Family Events Center. Ranked fourth in the latest D2CSC Media Poll and seventh according to the NABC, Gannon extended several streaks while improving to 23-2 and 17-2 in the PSAC West.

The Golden Knights have now run off 12 straight wins, the longest streak since the 2001-02 team won 14 consecutive contests. In addition, Gannon has now defeated Clarion 17 straight times. The Golden Knights also remained undefeated in home games at the Highmark Events Center and Hagerty Family Events Center, improving to 14-0. Finally, the 23 wins are the most since the 2014-15 Golden Knight edition finished at 23-9.

Maybe most importantly, the victory clinched a first-round bye in the PSAC Tournament and a home game in the PSAC Quarterfinals.

TURNOVERS, PAIR OF TIPTON THREE'S LEAD TO KEY SECOND-HALF RUN
Gannon led 46-39 at the half and while forcing 10 turnovers but those turnovers generated just 13 points. The Golden Knights used a typical spurt to finally gain some breathing room early in the second half.

Gavin Cote's fifth 3-pointer of the game pulled Clarion to within 50-44 early in the second half. Gannon responded with a 12-2 run fueled by back-to-back 3-pointers by Lyle Tipton (Glenside, Pa./Philadelphia Montgomery Christian Academy). The second gave the Golden Knights their largest lead to that point at 56-44.

The defense then stepped up and forced a pair of turnovers. The first led to two free throws by Ernest Shelton (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge). The two teams then traded baskets, with Thomas Whitley (Laurel, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) scoring for the Golden Knights. The lead grew to 62-46 with 16:07 after the second turnover that resulted in two Mike Montano (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison) free throws.

While never trailing in the game, the lead would grow to as much as 24 points, that coming at 78-44 with 11:33 remaining on a Shelton rebound basket. Clarion never pulled closer than 15 points the rest of the way while losing its third straight game and 10th in the last 11.

OMOJAFO PACES FIVE IN DOUBLE FIGURES WITH 20 POINTS
While not enjoying one of his better shooting days Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf) still found a way to lead five players in double figures with 20 points. It's the 14th time he has reached the mark this year. The 6-foot-5 sophomore was 3-for-6 on 3-pointers and made 9-of-12 free throws. He added four steals and three assists. Omojafo has now made 170 free throws. That's just three free throws shy of Butch Warner's record of 173 set in 1973-74. He has climbed over the 500-point mark for the season with 502 points.

After scoring 25 points in the first meeting with the Golden Eagles Tipton went for 18 points on Saturday, adding six rebounds. He made 4-of-7 3-pointers.

Underappreciated Nigel Haughton (Bel Air, Md./South Kent) once again filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and five steals. Derrick James (Columbus, Ohio/Canal Winchester) dished out seven assists and had two steals.

"SECOND WAVE" COMES UP BIG AGAIN
The "second wave" once again played a major role in the win, with the reserves outscoring the Clarion bench 46-14. Montano enjoyed his second straight double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, adding three steals. Minus sharpshooter Zachary Hobbs (Gilbert, Ariz./Mesa) for the second straight game, Shelton stepped up and contributed 10 points, five rebounds and a pair of blocks. Nathan Schneider (Kersey, Pa./St. Marys Area) chipped in with eight points, making a pair of 3-pointers.

BY THE NUMBERS
Gannon "suffered" through one of its poorer shooting days, but put up 80 shots, 18 more than Clarion. The Golden Knights made 33 (41.3 pct.) while going 11-of-28 on 3-pointers and going 23-of-31 at the line. Clarion shot 48.4 percent (30-of-62), making 8-of-21 3-pointers while going 13-of-19 at the line.

The two teams were even on the boards with 43 rebounds apiece, but Gannon had 18 on the offensive end. Then there were the turnovers. In the first meeting at Clarion, Gannon forced 30 turnovers. This time around it was 27 turnovers, compared to just 11 for the Golden Knights. Gannon had 18 steals and held a 34-13 edge in points off turnovers.

Cote led Clarion with 24 points, making 6-of-9 3-pointers, with Cam Kearney adding 22 points.

WHAT'S UP NEXT
It's rivalry time for the Golden Knights, as Gannon renews its crosstown rivalry with Mercyhurst on Wednesday, February 21. Tipoff at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center is 7:30 p.m. Gannon won the first meeting a month ago 79-68.   
 
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