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YANKE, RICHBURG RECORD DOUBLE-DOUBLES TO LEAD CLARION PAST COLUMBIA UNION
CLARION – Josh Yanke and Lamar Richburg became the first set of Clarion teammates to record double-doubles in the same game this year leading the Golden Eagles to a 94-88 win over visiting Columbia Union Monday night at Tippin Gym.
Yanke scored a game-high 24 points while grabbing 11 rebounds, and Richburg added 17 points and 11 boards making it the first time since Feb. 4, 2006, that two Clarion players had a double-double in the same game (Leon Kennedy and Chris Buchanan in a 100-70 loss to IUP).
After building an early 13-point lead – 19-6 – Clarion (12-13) needed a 22-9 run in the second half to actually get a come-from-behind win.
The Golden Eagles trailed 61-58 with 11:05 to play following a Corey Blythe jumper. But Clarion behind five tallies from Frank Torbert scored the next nine points to take a 67-61 lead on a Richburg lay-up. The Golden Eagles then built the lead to 80-70 on an old-fashion three-point play by Josh Yanke with 2:48 left.
Clarion still led by 10 – 90-80 – with 42.7 seconds left before the Golden Eagles got a little sloppy turning the ball over a couple of times and missing a free throw. That allowed Columbia Union (4-19) to cut the lead to 91-87 on an Elvis Rivera lay-up with 17.1 to go. But Bobby Franklin hit two free throws to give Clarion some breathing room at 14.9 seconds, and the Eagles held on for the win, their seventh in eight games.
Justin Collins added 15 points for Clarion, while Bobby Franklin had 12 points and seven assists.
Darren Travis led a trio of Pioneers in double figures with 21 points, while Blythe and Rivera each added 20. Blythe completed the double-double with 10 rebounds, while Rivera added nine. Marcie Stallion added 18 points.
Clarion returns to action Wednesday at Edinboro in PSAC-West play. The Golden Eagles can clinch a PSAC Playoff berth, their 10th in 11 years, with a win over the Fighting Scots. The game can be heard locally in Clarion on the radio at 91.7 FM and on the Internet at www.redzonemedia.com.
NOTES – The two double-doubles were Clarion’s first double-doubles since Yanke recorded one at Slippery Rock Jan. 31 … The 24 points were a career-high for Yanke, while the 17 points and 11 rebounds were both career high for Richburg. Both players are in their first year at Clarion