GOLDEN EAGLES GIVE D-I YOUNGSTOWN STATE ALL IT CAN HANDLE BEFORE FALLING 58-47
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO – The Clarion University women’s basketball team gave NCAA Division I Youngstown State all it could handle before falling on the road 58-47 Thursday night.
The Golden Eagles (3-5) trailed by four – 30-26 – early in the second half and by five 50-45 – with 1:26 to go before the Penguins drained 8 of 12 free throws in the final 1:12 to seal the victory.
The first half was a tight affair with Youngstown State holding the lead for most of its before Clarion forged a 20-20 tie with 4:41 left in the half. The Penguins, though, ended the half on a 10-4 run to take a 30-24 lead into the lockerroom.
Clarion got back within four points – 30-26 – on a Jessica Albanese basket with 1:32 into the second half. But it was the Golden Eagles last points in the next seven points. Youngstown State used the drought to go on a 6-0 run to gain a 36-26 lead with 11:27 to play.
The Golden Eagles won’t go away closing to within 50-45 on two April Gratton free throws with just under a minute and a half to play.
Jessica Albanese had a big game for the Golden Eagles scoring 20 points while hauling in eight rebounds. She was 7 of 10 shooting and 6-for-6 from the line.
But Albanese was the only Clarion player who shot well. The rest of the team connected on 9 of 40 shoots leaving the Eagles 16 of 50 from the field for the game. But Clarion made up for it at the free throw line making 15 of 16 free throws.
Katrina Greer chipped in with eight points for Clarion, while Gratton had six.
Heather Karner led Youngstown State with 15 points and five rebounds, while Monique Godfrey had 12 points. Nikita LaFleuer had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Clarion is now off until Jan. 2 when it travels to the Fairmont State New Year’s Classic. The Eagles face Concord at 4 p.m. Jan. 2 and Fairmont State at 3 p.m. Jan. 3. Clarion returns home Jan. 6-7 when it hosts East Stroudsburg and then Kutztown with both games tipping at 1 p.m.
NOTES – It was Clarion’s first regular-season game against a NCAA D-I opponent since a 75-65 loss to St. Bonaventure during the 1986-87 season … The Golden Eagles, who have beaten Division I opponents three times in their history, last toppled a D-I team in 1977-78 when they beat Robert Morris 92-35.