Box Score
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Clarion University men's basketball team outscored Slippery Rock 5-1 over the final 29 seconds of overtime to emerge with a 103-98 victory in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division game Saturday at Morrow Field House.
A Mercyhurst win over Lock Haven, coupled with The Rock's loss Saturday officially eliminates Slippery Rock from PSAC playoff contention. Clarion's win guarantees the Golden Eagles a berth in the conference playoffs.
Clarion led by just one at the halftime break, 43-42, before Slippery Rock opened the second half with an 18-6 run to take an 11-point lead, 60-49 with 13:29 left.
The Rock fell cold from the floor and Clarion took advantage, mounting a 20-6 run over the next five minutes to take a 69-66 lead with 8:20 to play in regulation.
The Golden Eagle lead grew to as much as six points with 2:03 to play before Slippery Rock reeled the lead back to two points at 85-83 with 58 seconds to play. After a pair of free throws from Greg Parker, the Golden Eagles held an 87-83 lead with 29 seconds to play.
On Slippery Rock's next possession,
Jabril Bailey sank a layup with 20 seconds left and
Cecil Brown stole the inbounds pass with 11 seconds left. After a timeout by head coach
Kevin Reynolds, Brown rebounded a missed 3-pointer by
Maron Brown and layed it in off the glass to tie the game at 87-87 at the end of regulation.
Maurice Douglas knocked down a 3-pointer on Slippery Rock's first possession of overtime before Clarion scored the next five points to regain the lead, 92-90 with three minutes to play. Bailey tied the game at 94-94 on a pair of free throws before Clarion took advantage of Rock misfires in the final two minutes to pull away for the 103-98 win.
Slippery Rock finished the overtime shooting just 20.0 percent from the floor, while Clarion shot 66.7 percent in the extra period.
All five of Slippery Rock's starters finished with 15 points or more, marking the first time this season that has happened.
Michael Evans Jr. led the way with 22 points, including six 3-pointers.
Maron Brown finished with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds and Douglas finished with 18 points. Bailey and Cecil brown each finished with 15 points.
Clarion was led by Lloyd Harrison with 24 points. Greg Parker finished with 19, while Paul McQueen added 17 and Shameel Carty and Jamar Harrison each chipped in 15.
Clarion finished the game shooting 56.5 percent from the floor, while Slippery Rock finished at 43.6 percent. The Rock held a 44-34 advantage in total rebounds.
Saturday's overtime game was the third time in the last four years that Clarion and Slippery Rock have needed the extra session to settle the score. Slippery Rock emerged with a 95-90 win in overtime at Clarion last season, evening the overtime tally at two wins for each team.
With Saturday's loss, Slippery Rock drops to 15-10 overall and 4-8 in the PSAC-West. Clarion improves to 16-9 overall and 8-4 in division play.
The Rock will split its final two games of the season with a home game Wednesday night against California (Pa.) and an away trip to Indiana (Pa.) next Saturday. Wednesday's game is set to tip at 8 p.m. Slippery Rock will honor its seniors in a pregame ceremony.