CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Putting up the most points in 24 years and the fifth-most in school history, the Clarion University women’s basketball team cruised to an 117-42 win over visiting Penn State Greater Allegheny Wednesday night at Tippin Gym.
(Photo of Venango Catholic graduate Taylor Moltz. Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)
The Golden Eagles (3-4), who led 32-7 at the end of the first quarter and 58-16 at the half, shot 57.3 percent (47 of 82) from the field including 46.2 percent (18 of 39) from 3-point range and turned 25 Lions turnovers into 38 points outscoring PSUGA 38-2 off turnovers.
Clarion head coach Jana Ashley talked about the victory.
Six different Golden Eagles scored in double figures led by 20 points apiece from Quorea Pearyer and Amesha Harden-Pulliam. Pearyer added six assists and seven rebounds, while Harden-Pulliam had five helpers.
Venango County grad Taylor Moltz added 13 points, six assists, five rebounds and a steal despite having trouble with her shot early. She finished 5 of 12 from the field including 3 of 9 from 3-point range.
Moltz talked about her performance and the team.
Jordan Bekelja and Shelby Coughenour each chipped in 12 points with Bekelja also dishing six assists and coming away with five steals — Clarion had 15 steals as a team.
Jen Straw also had 10 points and six rebounds for the Golden Eagles, who outrebounded PSUGA 53-24 including 22-6 on the offensive boards.
Clarion started the game on a 9-0 spurt that quickly turned into a 16-2 lead. The Lions (2-3) didn’t reach double digits until nearly four minutes into the second quarter (14 minutes into the game) when they were down 41-9 prior to a jumper by Shakeria Carter.
Ronnie Upsher led PSUGA with 12 points, while Jess Manfredi and Tra-Esha Carswell each added eight tallies.
The 117 points were the most by the Golden Eagles since scoring 138 vs. Bethany Nov. 21, 1992, one day after Clarion set the school record for points with 148 vs. Westminster. Clarion also scored 126 vs. Point Park Nov. 28, 1990, and 119 vs. Ashland Feb. 24, 1992.
In addition, the 47 made shots (47 of 82) rank third in school history behind 59 vs. Westminster in the 148-point game and 53 vs. Bethany in the 138-point contest, and the 18 made triples tie for the fifth-most in school history.
Clarion is back in action at 1 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Mansfield, coached by Keystone High School graduate Mike Whitling.
