Box Score

EAST STROUDSBURG – Tania Holmes hit two free throws to break a tie with 31.4 seconds left as Clarion rallied for a 68-66 win over East Stroudsburg University in non-conference women's basketball on Saturday afternoon at Koehler Fieldhouse.

Junior forward Jessica Martin had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and junior guard Ryann Fiascki tied her career-high with 18 points for ESU (6-7), which led the entire way until Clarion took its first lead on a three-pointer by Emma Fickel with 3:18 remaining.

The Warriors ran off a 6-0 run to go back in front, 66-63, getting a steal and layup from sophomore guard Helena Gemmell, a jumper by Martin and a driving layup by Fiascki with 1:21 left.

Fickel answered with another three for Clarion to knot the score at 66-all with a minute left, and after an ESU turnover, Holmes was fouled and made both foul shots for the game's final points. ESU had the game-tying shot in the paint roll off the rim in the final five seconds.

Fickel led Clarion (5-6) with 15 points, Raven Jones and Kelly Johnson scored 12 each and Holmes had 11 points and nine assists. Junior forward Hannah Heeter, a first team All-PSAC West selection, had seven points and six rebounds in 17 minutes while spending most of the game in foul trouble.

Martin had her sixth double-double of the season and 16th of her career for ESU, while topping the 20-point mark for the fourth time. Fiascki surpassed her season-high of 16 points in a win over Lock Haven, and tied her career-high of 18 at Bloomsburg last season.

Sophomore guard Melissa Poderis added a career-high 10 points, all in the first half, for ESU, which led 36-26 at halftime after a three-point play by Fiascki with three seconds left.

The Warriors jumped out to a 12-2 lead, getting seven points from Martin, a three from freshman forward Allison Howard (seven points, six rebounds) and a long jumper by Poderis to get off to a hot start.

ESU led 20-6 with 12:13 left in the half after Poderis hit her second three-pointer in a two-minute stretch, and led by at least seven for the rest of the half.

The lead stayed at five points or better until the final five minutes, when Jones and Fickel knocked down consecutive jumpers to start a 10-0 run for the Golden Eagles that gave them their first lead of the day.

Clarion shot 53.8 percent from the field and 4-for-10 from the three-point line to overcome 20 turnovers. ESU shot 39.0 percent, 4-for-11 from long distance, 16-for-20 at the foul line and had 16 turnovers.

ESU, which fell 67-48 to No. 2 Gannon on Friday, travels to new PSAC member Pitt-Johnstown for its final crossover game on Wednesday. The Mountain Cats are 5-8 after falling at Lock Haven (70-58) and Bloomsburg (90-64) this weekend.