The Shippensburg University men’s basketball team defeated Clarion 66-63, ending a four-game losing streak and securing their first home win of the season. The match, part of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), took place at Heiges Field House. Shippensburg’s record improved to 3-7 overall and 2-3 in the PSAC, while Clarion’s record moved to 8-3 overall and 3-3 in the conference.
In the first half, Shippensburg held Clarion to 22 points, establishing an 11-point lead at halftime. Clarion quickly tied the game in the second half with a 15-4 run in the first four minutes. The game saw five ties and six lead changes in the final 20 minutes. Both teams scored identically in the second half, with each shooting 13-of-27 (48.1 percent) from the field.
Markus Frank hit a crucial three-pointer to put Shippensburg ahead 64-61 with four minutes remaining, marking the team’s final field goal of the game. The game concluded with Shippensburg holding off Clarion, despite Clarion reducing the deficit to one point in the final seconds.
Shippensburg’s defense was key, holding Clarion to 14 percent (3-of-22) shooting from three-point range and 40 percent (22-of-55) overall. Clarion, which had entered the game leading the PSAC in three-point field goal percentage and second in overall field goal percentage, scored 31 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half but only 32 points during the rest of the game.
For Shippensburg, Markus Frank led the scoring with 18 points, followed by Jaydon Smith with 13 points and Denzel Figueroa with 12. Donovan Hill led in rebounds with eight and added three points and three assists. Clarion’s Cam Kearney was the game’s top scorer with 23 points and also recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds.
