The Slippery Rock men’s basketball team surpassed Clarion University during a close call in the second half. A three-pointer delivered by Brady Mayo lifted SRU to an 80-78 victory on Wednesday at Morrow Field House.
The White and Green’s record is now 15-8, going 8-7 inside the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
SRU secured the first two shots of the game on layups from Kerwin Prince and Isaac James in the first two minutes of the game.
The Golden Eagles retaliated with two points of their own off of a dunk to put their first points on the board.
Mayo’s first three-pointer of the night put The Rock ahead by five.
Shots volleyed between the teams, each taking their turn in the paint.
While Clarion was not shy to the net, Slippery Rock still claimed the lead, 20-12, with 12 minutes to go.
10 more points came for the White and Green in the next nine minutes behind two layups, a jumper, and a free throw.
In the final fifth minute of the game, the Golden Eagles managed to take the lead when a three-pointer pushed them over the edge.
SRU reclaimed it quickly with two good free throws, but seconds later, Clarion put up a layup, putting them up 33-32.
A layup by Rock’s Isaac James stole back the lead and kept it for the remainder of the half.
This is the senior’s first season at SRU. The transfer has tallied 231 points in white and green.
Another layup went up as the clock ran out, sending the White and Green into the locker room up 42-35.
Coming into the second half, Slippery Rock went on a nine-point run right from the jump.
Clarion shot up a successful three-pointer five minutes into the game, still behind 51-38.
Mayo’s second three-pointer came in the 16th minute of the game.
Points kept going for Slippery Rock, but Clarion was never far behind. The largest gap was 21 points with 10 minutes left in the game.
Scoring was still back and forth, but the Golden Eagles came from behind. With 19 seconds left, two free throws put Clarion up by one.
The pressure was no fear for Mayo when his third three-pointer came with three seconds remaining, which won the game for The Rock.
Mayo set a season high with the most field goals made. The freshman has made 25 shots from the arc.
Slippery Rock will take to the road again for a Valentine’s Day matchup against not-so-loved rival Indiana University (Pa.) on Saturday.
