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FIRST-HALF DEFENSIVE EFFORT HELPS CLARION HOLD OFF LOCK HAVEN AND BREAK 3-GAME SLIDE

CLARION – Clarion limited Lock Haven to four first-half baskets while building a 31-15 halftime lead and then held off a furious rally in the second half to secure a 57-46 win over the Lady Eagles in PSAC-West women’s basketball action Thursday night at Tippin Gym.

Lock Haven went the final 11:34 of the opening half without scoring a basket while Clarion went on a 20-5 run to take the 16-point halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles (8-16 overall, 3-7 PSAC-West), who broke a 3-game losing streak with the win, then built the lead to 20 points – 37-17 – two minutes into the second half.

But Clarion then went cold from the field connecting on just two field-goal attempts in the final 18 minutes of the half allowing Lock Haven to climb within five points – 49-44 – with 4:06 to play. But the Golden Eagles, who shot 30.8 percent (4 of 13) from the field in the second half, were nearly perfect from the free-throw line in the half connecting on 18 of 22 charity shots including 8 of 10 in the final 3:35 to seal the victory.

Jessica Albanese recorded a double-double for the Golden Eagles with 18 points and 11 rebounds. It was Clarion’s first double-double since Katrina Greer had 17 points and 12 rebounds vs. IUP Jan. 17.

Greer, meanwhile, added 11 points and two assists, while the PSAC’s leading assist giver Ashley Grimm had six helpers to go with five points. She came into the game 26^th in the nation in assists at 5.0 per game. April Gratton chipped in with seven points off the bench, while My’Kea Cohill had six.

Ginger Williams led Lock Haven with 11 points and seven rebounds. Ten of her points came between the 9:30 mark and the 4:06 mark of the second half helping the Lady Eagles go on a14-4 run that cut Clarion’s lead from 15 points to five.

 Illia Lopez added nine points and eight rebounds for Lock Haven, while Kristen Kudrick had eight tallies and seven boards.

The win keeps Clarion’s slim PSAC Playoff hopes alive. With two PSAC-West games left, the Golden Eagles trail Edinboro by 1 ½ games for the fourth and final playoff spot awarded in the PSAC-West. The Golden Eagles are also a game back of Lock Haven and a ½ game behind Slippery Rock. In order to make the postseason, Clarion would need to win out while Edinboro loses at least twice and Lock Haven and Slippery Rock at least once. The Golden Eagles play at Edinboro Wednesday at 6 p.m. The game can he heard locally on 91.7 FM and on the Internet at www.redzonemedia.com.