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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – A second-half surge carried the Slippery Rock University men's basketball team to its third consecutive win, a 79-65 victory over visiting Clarion University in opening-night action of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division season.


The win was sixth-year Rock head coach Kevin Reynolds' 100th and improved his career record to 100-52.

The Rock (3-1) trailed by a 35-34 score at the intermission but outscored their guests by a 32-15 margin in the first  11 minutes of the second half to take firm control of the outcome.

Indicative of the night-day difference in The Rock's performances in the respective halves was their shooting percentages. SRU made only 35% (12 of 34) of their field-goal attempts in the opening 20 minutes of action before hitting 56% (18 of 32) in the final half.

The final numbers showed The Rock with a 46% efficiency (30 of 66) on their action shots with a 38% (8 of 21) showing from 3-point range. SRU sank 73% (11 of 15) of its free throws.

Clarion (1-1) shot 39% (21 of 61) from the field in the first half of action before cooling off to a 30% (10 of 33) efficiency in the final 20 minutes to finish with a 34% (21 of 61) showing for the game. The Golden Eagles hit an icy 19% (5 of 27) from beyond the arc and sank 56% (18 of 32) of their free throws.

Individually, The Rock cashed in on a trifecta of "double-double" performances. Senior center Maurice Lewis-Briggs led the way with 21 points and 11 rebounds, senior forward Tabari Perry added 20 points and 11 rebounds and junior forward Kelvin Dixon contributed 12 points and game-high 12 rebounds.

Junior guard Josh Martin was the fourth Rock player to record a double-digit scoring total as he finished with 16 points and a game-high five assists.

Darius Stevens led Clarion's scoring attack with a game-high 23 points and finished off a "double-double" of his own with 10 rebounds. DeMarius Miller chipped in 11 points for the Golden Eagles.

Behind the lead of their three double-digit rebounders, The Rock dominated the backboards by a 53-32 margin, which helped offset a 19-turnover game by the Green and White. Clarion committed nine turnovers in the game.

Clarion's largest lead of the game was a five-point, 14-9, advantage with 13 minutes left to play in the first half. The Rock's biggest lead was a 17-point, 64-47, cushion with 9:20 left to play in the game.

The Rock continue PSAC-West competition Saturday with a 5:30 p.m. game at California (Pa.) before opening a three-game homestand the following day with a 3 p.m. game against Ohio University Eastern.