Box Score

INDIANA, PA - The Crimson Hawks stalled a Clarion comeback, regaining their lead late, and forced Paul McQueen into a missed three-pointer as time expired as 13th-ranked IUP defeated the Golden Eagles in a thrilling 68-65 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division men's basketball matchup on Saturday night at the Kovalchick Complex.

The Crimson Hawks (17-3, 14-2) held a 43-23 halftime lead and got up on Clarion by as many as 22 early in the second half, but watched the Golden Eagles storm back, going on a 22-4 run over the course of 7:13 to tie the score at 53-53 with 8:49 remaining.

Free throws by Julian Sanders (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) put IUP back on top by two, but Clarion would get back-to-back layups by McQueen to put the Golden Eagles in th the lead 57-55 less than two minutes later. Clarion would hold onto that lead for two more minutes until a nifty layup by Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School) at the 5:03 mark put the Crimson Hawks ahead 60-59.

After a Clarion turnover, Danny Ayebo put IUP on top by three with a layup of his own on a nice pass from Anthony Wells (Cleveland, OH/Shaker Heights). Both teams would go cold, as neither could move on from the 62-59 IUP lead for nearly three minutes until Ashton Smith (Scarborough, ON/West Hill Collegiate) got two in the paint to put the Crimson Hawks up by five at 64-59 with 1:49 left in the game.

The Golden Eagles (14-8, 10-6) came right back, as Bud Teer layup and one with 1:32 on the clock brought Clarion back to within two at 64-62.

The Crimson Hawks would miss on two chances to extend the lead, as a three by Smith fell off and a jumper 15 seconds later after an offensive rebound by Souberbielle also missed. Running down the clock, the Golden Eagles would try to tie but an easy layup by Teer rimmed out and Souberbielle came up with a huge board, retaining possesion for IUP with 36 seconds left on the clock.

A quick foul sent Wells to the line where he would make both to extend IUP's lead to 66-62 with 27 seconds left before Winfield Willis knocked down a huge three for Clarion, bringing the Golden Eagles to within one at 66-65 with 19 seconds to go.

IUP played keep away, but the Golden Eagles would ultimately foul to send Sanders to the line where he also would connect on both to put the Crimson Hawks back on top by three with 11 seconds to go. After a Clarion timeout to set up the final play, great IUP defense forced a bad pass to McQueen, where he would rush his shot with a second to go as it knocked off the rim at the buzzer. 

IUP lost the turnover battle 16-12, but shot 48.1 percent (25-of-52) from the field compared to just 37.9 percent (22-58) for the Golden Eagles, ultimately the difference in the game.

The Golden Eagles also owned an advantage on the glass, outrebounding IUP 37-26, including 17-6 on the offensive end.

Four players reached double-figures for Clarion, led by Willis with 17. McQueen scored 15 and grabbed eight rebounds while Teer and Mike Kromka each added 10 points. 
 
The Crimson Hawks also had four players scored in double-figures, with Sanders tossing in 18. Although hot early, he would go just 4-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-9 from three-point range, but hit 8-of-9 of his free throws, adding four rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

Smith added 14 points and six assists, while Wells and Souberbielle each scored 10 points for the Crimson Hawks. Playing in just 14 minutes due to foul trouble, Josh Wiegand (Whiteford, MD/John Carroll) scored eight points and added four rebounds and went a perfect 4-of-4 from the field.

The Crimson Hawks, still first in the PSAC West, are back on the road next Wednesday, traveling to Cal to take on the rival Vulcans. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.