Ernest Shelton vs. Clarion
83
Winner Clarion Clar 10-9,5-8 PSAC
79
Gannon Gannon 16-5,11-2 PSAC
Winner
Clarion Clar
10-9,5-8 PSAC
83
Final
79
Gannon Gannon
16-5,11-2 PSAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Clarion Clar 44 39 83
Gannon Gannon 35 44 79

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

Golden Knights See Long Home Winning Streak Come to an End with 83-79 Loss to Clarion

ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon men's basketball team entered Wednesday's contest with Clarion reeling after two losses in the last three games. Even still the Golden Knights maintained a four-game lead in the Western Division standings.
 
But if history held true the Golden Eagles were the perfect team to get well against. Gannon had won the last 17 meetings with Clarion, and the Golden Knights also owned a 29-game home-winning streak.
 
Unfortunately in an extremely physical game the Golden Eagles used a 15-0 run early in the game and numerous clutch baskets late to hand Gannon an 83-79 loss. Gannon came into the game ranked 21st in the D2CSC Div. II Top 25. The Golden Knights are now 16-5 overall and 11-2 in the PSAC West. Clarion improved to 10-9 and 5-8, respectively.
 
Gannon begins second half play in the Western Division on Saturday, February 1 at California (Pa.). Like Gannon the Vulcans have had to endure numerous injuries. The Golden Knights claimed the first game by a 108-71 margin.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The two teams were tied at 9-9 four minutes into the game when Clarion had the telltale run of the game. The Golden Eagles ran off 15 straight points as Gannon went scoreless for the next five minutes as Clarion's lead grew to 24-9.
 
Gannon spent the rest of the half playing catch up. Clarion would lead by as much as 16 points before Gannon went on a 10-0 run to close to within 33-29 with four minutes left. Pace Prosser (Berlin, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley) hit a short jumper and 3-pointer and Justin DeBuck (Broward County, Fla./Pembroke Pines Charter), making his first appearance after missing six games, ended the run with a three.
 
As they did all night, the Golden Eagles pulled ahead by 11 and ended the half with a 44-35 lead. They shot 58.3 percent in the opening 20 minutes (56.3 pct.), while Gannon was at 37.8 pct. (14-of-37).
 
Clarion continued to hold the Golden Knights at bay but Gannon ramped up the pressure and closed a 12-point second-half deficit to a point at 62-61 when Rocco Morabito (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) slashed to the basket for a layup at 8:16.
 
After that neither team would lead by more than five points. Gannon gained its first lead since 6-4 at 68-67 with a pair of Victor Desmond (Onalaska, Wisc./Onalaska) free throws with 5:20 remaining. Clarion's next possession resulted on a 3-pointer by Justice Easter. Ernest Shelton (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) responded with his own three, one of five on the night for the sophomore, as Gannon pulled ahead 71-70.
 
Trey Nelson hit back-to-back three's as Clarion went ahead 76-73. The Golden Knights would gain the lead one more time at 77-76 with 2:12 left as Shelton made a pair of free throws.
 
Both teams would commit turnovers, and Easter followed with a pair of free throws to make it 78-77 Clarion with a minute left. After a Gannon miss Nelson came down and scored on a layup, and a missed 3-pointer with 16 seconds remained forced Gannon to foul. Nelson scored the last of his 22 points to give the Golden Eagles an 82-77 lead with nine seconds to play. Tasman Goodrick (Sydney, Australia/St. Joseph's College) scored to cut the deficit to three but Gannon never got a tying shot.         
 
BY THE NUMBERS
Ernest Shelton (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) led three Golden Knights in double figures with 29 points, matching his career high. The sophomore guard made 9-of-17 field goals, including 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, and went 6-of-6 at the line. He added seven rebounds.
 
Tasman Goodrick (Sydney, Australia/St. Joseph's College) returned after a one-game absence and finished with his 11th double-double. The 6-foot-9 sophomore totaled 12 points and 11 rebounds. Pace Prosser (Berlin, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley) was also in double figures with 11 points, adding six rebounds.
 
Clarion ended the night shooting an even 50.0 pct. (29-of-58) while Gannon came in at 36.8 pct. (28-of-76). The Golden Knights were 9-of-31 from beyond the arc while Clarion made 12-of-25. Gannon went to the line 17 times and made 14 while Clarion was 13-of-21. The game featured seven ties and eight lead changes.
 
In an extremely physical affair Gannon held a 43-40 advantage on the glass. The Golden Knights committed just nine turnovers, but Clarion limited its miscues to 15 and Gannon held just a 14-10 advantage in points off turnovers.     
 
NEXT FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Gannon begins the second half of PSAC divisional play on Saturday, February 1 playing at California (Pa.). The Golden Knights won the first meeting 108-71.
 
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