Boxscore

Despite a career-high 32 points from Ashton Smith (Scarborough, ON/West Hill Collegiate) the Crimson Hawks had their 30 game home-winning streak snapped by Clarion 73-68 Saturday night at Memorial Field House.

The Crimson Hawks (12-4, 3-1 PSAC West) trailed 65-59 with 3:04 remaining in the game but Smith scored six points all on free throws to pull IUP to close the gap to 66-65 at the 1:22 mark, but Clarion (11-4, 2-2) made 7 of 8 free throws down the stretch to hold off the Crimson Hawks.

The game was tied 37-37 early in the second half and IUP used 12-5 run including the first six form Smith to build its biggest lead of the half 49-42 with 9:51 left to play. Clarion answered with a 12-3 run of its own capped by a Mike Kromka 3-pointer to take the lead 54-53.

The Golden Eagles used a 10-4 run, including nine points from Lloyd Harrison who finished the game with a team-high 19 points and six assists, to build the lead to 65-69 at the 3:04 mark.

With 10:30 to play in the first half the Crimson Hawks trailed 13-9, but Clarion's Mike Sherry fouled Kevin Stewart (Philadelphia, Pa./Academy Park) and then received a technical foul. Stewart made all four free throws and sparked 22-7 run to make the score 31-25 at the half.

The loss is only the second for the Crimson Hawks in conference play in the last two years with the last at the hands of Clarion 72-65 on Febuary 7th of last year. The loss also snapped the sixth longest home winning streak in Division II at 30 games.

Darryl Webb (Elkridge, Md./Long Reach) joined Smith in double figures 17 points and added 13 rebounds for his fourth consecutive double-double the 47th of his career. Stewart chipped in eight points and had two steals.

Three other Golden Eagles joined Lloyd Harrison in double figures. Jamar Harrison recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards. Mike Sherry added 11 points and Kromka chipped in 10 off the bench.

The Crimson Hawks look to bounce back as they start a four game road trip Wednesday when they travel to Edinboro.