CLARION SETS SCHOOL MARK FOR FREE-THROW PERCENTAGE IN SEASON

   The Clarion University women’s basketball team set a school record for free-throw percentage in a season this year when it shot 76.4 percent during the year, which ended Saturday at IUP.

            The previous record was 73.5 percent set during the 1995-96 season.

            The Golden Eagles (12-15 overall, 3-9 PSAC-West) connected on 421 of 551 charity shots including a perfect 19 of 19 Dec. 20 against Millersville. Other top marks were 92.6 percent (25 of 27) Feb. 6 at Shippensburg, 89.5 percent (34 of 38) at West Chester Jan. 8 and 85.7 percent (18 of 21) Feb. 1 at Edinboro. All told, Clarion shot 80 percent or better in 10 of its 27 games.

            Senior Melba Melton (North Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon) led the Golden Eagles with an 82.2 percent success rate (106 of 129), the third best mark in school history. In her 2-year career, Melton hit 78.5 percent of her freebies (175 of 223), the third best mark in Clarion history. Melton was 13 of 15 against West Chester Jan. 8.

            Freshman Katrina Greer (Centre Hall/Penns Valley) had the second highest free-throw percentage among freshman in school history (79.4 percent – 102 of 128) and the ninth best mark all-time. Her 102 made charity shots were the most by a freshman in school history. Greer connected on 10 of 10 free throws Feb. 6 at Shippensburg becoming the first Golden Eagle to shoot 100 percent from the line while attempting at least 10 shots since the 2000 season.

            Other top free-throw shooters for Clarion in 2006 were sophomores April Gratton (Bethel Park/Bethel Park) at 79.4 percent (54 of 68), Jessica Albanese (Crescent Springs, KY/Notre Dame Academy) at 74.4 percent (67 of 90) and Ashley Grimm (Sugarloaf/Hazleton) at 71.4 percent (45 of 63).

Melba Melton

Katrina Greer

Ashley Grimm

April Gratton

Jessica Albanese