Carter Scores 15 but Mounties Can't Overcome Cold First Half

CLARION -- Malik Carter scored a game-high 15 points but it wouldn't be enough to offset Mansfield coldest shooting game of the season as the Mountaineers dropped a 71-63 decision in a PSAC crossover contest at Clarion Saturday afternoon.

After a jumper by Jahyde Gardiner at the start the game, Mansfield made just four of its first 19 shots. Clarion used four straight 3-pointers, including from Justin Grant to build a 29-9 advantage midway through the first half.

Mansfield was able to cut the lead to single-digits at 36-27 on a layup by Gardiner with a minute remaining in the first half before Clarion took a 40-29 advantage into intermission.

The Mountaineers make just 30% of their shots in the first half and connected on just one of 11 3-pointers over the first 20 minutes.

Mansfield found its shooting groove somewhat in the second half, using a 10-0 run to close to 56-51 on a layup by Carter with just over six minutes remaining.

However, three straight treys by Clarion ended the Mountaineers rally, extending the Golden Eagles lead to 66-54 just two minutes later.

Mansfield, which shot season-low 33.3% in the game, got off 72 shots to Clarion's 56 and outrebounded the Golden Eagles 17-10 on the offensive boards. The Mountaineers got their outside game going in the second half hitting 7 of 17 attempts from beyond the arch in the final 20 minutes.

In addition to his 15 points, Carter pulled down seven rebounds, recorded three steals and dished out three assists. Cedrick Powell and Gerasimos Koutoufas scored 11 points each with Matt Tamanosky adding 10 points.

Grant led four Clarion players in double-figures with 15 points.

Mansfield travels to Pitt-Johnstown on Sunday.