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Keshawn Liggins at Slippery Rock
Matt Durisko

Men's Basketball Bob Shreve, Sports Information Director

Fighting Scots Hit the Highway in Search of 16th Win at Clarion

Keshawn Liggins
EDINBORO Fighting Scots (15-8, 12-7 PSAC West) at CLARION Golden Eagles (3-22, 0-19 PSAC West)
Saturday, February 17, 2018 7:30 PM | Tippin Gymnasium | Clarion, Pa.
LINKS: LIVE STATS | AUDIO-WFSE 88.9 l VIDEOSTREAM-WATCH
 
ADDITIONAL LINKS
EDINBORO: ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS
CLARION: ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS

PSAC LINKS: PRESEASON POLL | STANDINGS | STATS 
 
The Game Story
  • Edinboro came up with a big win on Valentine's Day, outscoring Slippery Rock, 97-87. The win boosted the Fighting Scots to 15-8 overall and 12-7 in the PSAC West. That latter figure becomes very important as Edinboro is jockeying with Gannon and Slippery Rock for a top spot in the upcoming PSAC Tournament, and Pitt-Johnstown is not lurking far behind.    
  • The Fighting Scots, picked to finish eighth in the Western Division in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, are currently fourth in the PSAC West. The third and fourth seeds earn first round home games, while the top two seeds receive first round byes then host quarterfinal games.  
  • The PSAC regular season has just over a week remaining, with Indiana(Pa.) ranking first in the PSAC West at 15-3. Gannon is 13-6 and Slippery Rock 13-7. Pitt-Johnstown has moved to within a game of the Fighting Scots at 12-8, although the Fighting Scots swept the regular season series. Edinboro has games remaining at Clarion on February 17, at IUP on Feb. 21, and against Mercyhurst on Feb. 24. 
  • Edinboro's win over Slippery Rock came just four days after the Fighting Scots suffered their fourth loss in the final seconds, a 72-71 setback to Gannon. The Golden Knights made three free throws with 0.4 seconds left to claim the win. In addition, Kutztown scored the winning basket with 0.8 seconds remaining and Indiana(Pa.) with 1.8 seconds showing. Mercyhurst hit their game-winning 3-pointer with 13.2 seconds remaining.
  • A young Clarion team that has battled injuries seeks an end to a 14-game losing streak. The Golden Eagles come in with a 3-22 overall record and are 0-19 in the PSAC West after suffering a 102-66 loss to Indiana(Pa.) on Wednesday.
  • The Fighting Scots rank seventh in the PSAC in scoring offense (80.0 ppg.) and are eighth in scoring defense (74.6 ppg.). Clarion averages 72.8 ppg., good for 14th in the PSAC, while allowing 86.3 ppg. That ranks 17th in the conference. The Golden Eagles have allowed 90-or-more points in ten contests this season, but just once in the last eight. In addition, they have struggled on the glass, ranking 17th in the PSAC in rebounding margin (-7.6).
  • The Fighting Scots have relied on a trio of players for the majority of the offense. The threesome of Keshawn Liggins, Anthony Coleman, and Jaymon Mason combine for over 56 points per game. Liggins saw his streak of leading the Fighting Scots in scoring at seven games come to an end against Slippery Rock, but he still scored 21 points. Liggins is eighth in Division II in scoring and 12th nationally in rebounding.  He was recently named to the Bevo Francis Award Watch List and was selected the Division II Bulletin Player of the Month for January.  
  • Anthony Coleman and Jaymon Mason add 16.3 and 16.0 ppg., respectively. The threesome has combined for 30-or-more points ten times. In addition, the Fighting Scots have had at least one of the three reach 20 points in every game but one.       
  • Jaymon Mason dropped in a team-high 24 points on Wednesday and now needs just 56 points to become Edinboro's all-time leading scorer. The redshirt senior guard, who will go down as one of Edinboro's all-time great players, ranks second in career scoring with 1,899 points. He is looking to break the career scoring record of 1,954 points, held by Tyrone Mason, his father.
  • While better known for his work on the defensive end, Mike Beck played a key role on offense against Slippery Rock. The senior swingman finished with a career-high 23 points, making 5-of-8 3-pointers. That included a pair of key ones down the stretch.

Edinboro on Radio/Video
  • The Edinboro-Clarion game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9. Dakota Palmer will be handling the play-by-play with Madison Gross providing color commentary. 
  • In addition, this year Edinboro is part of the PSAC Network. All men's and women's home basketball games will be streamed live through Stretch Internet. 
All-Time Series vs. Clarion
  • Edinboro leads 103-72: Edinboro has won more games against Clarion than against any other opponent in program history.
  • First Meeting: 1928-29 – Edinboro 58, Clarion 27
  • Last Meeting: 2017-18 – Edinboro 86, Clarion 73
  • Current Streak: Edinboro won the last three meetings.
  • Cleary vs. Clarion: 8-2

Last Meeting
Jan. 17, 2018 – Edinboro 86, Clarion 73 at Edinboro, Pa. BOX | RECAP
  • Keshawn Liggins and Anthony Coleman combined for 60 points to lead Edinboro to an 86-73 win over Clarion at McComb Fieldhouse. Liggins posted his sixth 30-game of the season, finishing with 36 points. The 6'5" swingman made 16-of-22 field goals and was 4-of-6 from the line. He added eight rebounds, along with four assists and a pair of steals.
  • Coleman finished with his first double-double, ending the night with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Normally known for his long-range shooting, the junior guard scored most of his points on strong drives to the basket. He missed all four of his 3-point attempts, but made 8-of-12 field goals and went 8-for-10 at the line.
  • Mike Beck added 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor, including 3-of-7 3-pointers. Jaymon Mason struggled to find his shot, finishing with six points. However, he contributed seven assists and three steals without a turnover. Jack Frank led Edinboro with 11 rebounds.
  • Clarion showcased four players in double figures, paced by Cameron Grumley's 24 points. He added eight rebounds and five assists. Maqi Watson totaled 11 points and five blocks, while Mason Mraz had 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, and Khari Williams totaled 10 points.
  • Edinboro shot 47.1 percent from the floor (33-of-70) while struggling from beyond the arc. Normally reliant on the 3-pointer, Edinboro made just 4-of-22 from beyond the arc. The Scots made 16-of-20 free throws. Edinboro would dominate the game in the paint, outscoring the Golden Eagles 52-36.
  • Clarion shot nearly 53 percent from the floor in the second half to end the night at 42.3 percent (30-of-71), making 7-of-23 3-pointers. The Golden Eagles were 6-of-8 at the line. Edinboro held a 43-38 advantage on the glass, and committed 11 turnovers compared to 14 for Clarion.
  • Edinboro led for almost the entire contest, and built a lead of many as 19 points, but could never shake the Golden Eagles.  The Fighting Scots led by ten points at the half at 39-29, but Clarion closed the deficit to six points at 47-41 with 15:49 to play.
  • The Fighting Scots went on a 15-2 run to take their biggest lead of the night at 62-43 with 12:16 remaining. Beck started the run with a 3-pointer, and would add another trifecta during the spurt. Liggins, meanwhile, added six points.
  • Clarion would chip into the lead and eventually pulled to within nine at 77-68 with 3:20 to play, but the Scots scored the next five points to put the game out of reach. Coleman's drive and free throw built the lead back to double digits, and Liggins scored on a rebound basket to make it 82-68.  
      
Head Coaches

Edinboro: Pat Cleary (Edinboro '99) -- 62-66, 5th Year
  • Pat Cleary was introduced as Edinboro's tenth head coach on March 26, 2013 after head coach Greg Walcavich announced his retirement. Cleary served as Walcavich's assistant coach for 14 years.
  • Cleary has now led the Fighting Scots to the PSAC Tournament in three of the last four years. 
  • Cleary's first three teams improved each year since his appointment, with his 2015-16 team earning the third seed in the PSAC West Tournament with a 15-11 overall record and 14-8 league mark. A year ago the Fighting Scots came in at 8-18 overall and 6-16 in the PSAC West, with injuries forcing the Fighting Scots to suit up as few as seven players in February.
  • He guided Edinboro to the PSAC Tournament for the first time in 2014-15 with a 14-13 record, a four-game improvement over his first year, after being chosen to finish eighth in the PSAC West preseason poll. His first Boro squad finished 10-16 in 2013-14.

Clarion: Marcess Williams (LaRoche '02) -- 34-75, 4th year; 193-170, 12th year overall 
  • Marcess Williams is in his fourth season as the head coach at Clarion. In his second season in 2015-16, he led Clarion to the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2009-10 and posted a PSAC first round win over Edinboro.
  • Williams inherited a Golden Eagles team that won just 11 games in the two years prior to his arrival. His first-year squad finished 10-16, a five-game improvement over the previous year, and further improved to 14-16 in 2015-16. Last season, Clarion was 7-21.
  • Williams previously served nine years as the head coach at Penn State-Beaver. The Lions won three straight PSUAC Championships (2009-11) and six straight PSAC West titles (2009-14) under Williams. They finished as USCAA Division 2 National runners-up in 2009.


The Fighting Scots
Probable Starters
P / No. Player Ht/Wt/Yr Hometown PPG / RPG
F / 23 Mike Beck 6-3/220/Sr. Erie, Pa. 6.6 / 2.0
F / 3 Keshawn Liggins 6-5/205/Sr. Middletown, Id. 23.9 / 10.7
F / 21 Jack Frank 6-8/220/Jr. Tampa, Fla. 2.4 / 6.4
G / 5 Jaymon Mason 6-3/185/R-Jr. Edinboro, Pa. 16.0 / 4.5
G / 4 Anthony Coleman 6-3/210/Jr. Wickliffe, Ohio 16.3 / 4.0 
 
Top Reserves
F / 45 Trey Staunch 6-4/265/Jr. West Middlesex, Pa. 7.0 / 3.3
G / 13 Alex Jay 6-3/180/Fr. Edinboro, Pa. 3.7 / 1.6
G / 14 Jaryn Simpson 6-1/150/Fr. Erie, Pa. 3.4 / 1.3
 

Scouting the Fighting Scots
  • Edinboro has won four of its last five games to improve to 15-8 overall and 12-7 in the PSAC West. The lone loss in that stretch was a 72-71 setback to Gannon as the Golden Knights hit three free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining. Edinboro remained in the hunt for second place in the PSAC West with a 97-87 win over Slippery Rock on Wednesday. Edinboro has now qualified for postseason action three times in the last four years under head coach Pat Cleary. The 15 wins ties the highest win total since Cleary took over as head coach. His 2015-16 squad finished 15-11.      
  • The Fighting Scots are currently fourth in the PSAC West after being picked to finish eighth in the division in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll. The top six teams in each division qualify for the tournament, with the top two teams receiving first round byes and the third and fourth seeds hosting first round contests.
  • Four of Edinboro's losses have come on buzzer-beaters in the last month, with three at McComb Fieldhouse. The Kutztown setback came on a basket with 0.8 seconds remaining, as the Golden Bears prevailed 91-89. A week later, Edinboro again lost in the final seconds as IUP hit a 3-pointer with 1.8 ticks showing for a 70-67 win. Mercyhurst hit the game-winner with 13.2 seconds to play to hand the Scots an 80-79 defeat. Then on Saturday, Gannon's Zay Jackson made three free throws with 0.4 seconds showing to hand the Scots a 72-71 defeat.
  • After a year filled with injuries in 2016-17, Edinboro has been able to start the same starting five in all 23 games. The Fighting Scots rank seventh in the PSAC in scoring offense (80.0 ppg.) and are eighth in scoring defense (74.6 ppg.).  
  • Keshawn Liggins, Anthony Coleman, and Jaymon Mason are combining for over 56 points per game. Each is capable of putting up big numbers. They have combined for ten 30-point games. with Liggins reaching the mark in six contests. The latest came as he scored 36 points in an 86-73 win over Clarion in the first meeting. He dropped in a career-high 39 points vs. Seton Hill in the first meeting. Coleman posted a season-best 32-point effort at Gannon, and had 30 points in the upset of then eighth-ranked Shippensburg. When Coleman led Edinboro with 19 points at Lock Haven, it marked the only time this season Edinboro has not had a scorer reach 20 points.  Mason has now had 15 career 30-point games after scoring a season-high 33 points against Kutztown, his second 30-point effort of the year. He had 32 points vs. Daemen.
  • Second all-time leading scorer and preseason All-American Jaymon Mason battled an early-season injury, but on Wednesday he came up with one of his most impressive efforts despite battling foul trouble. He made 9-of-15 field goals, including 3-of-5 3-pointers, to finish with 24 points. He added six assists. The senior guard had a season-high 33-point effort against Kutztown, making 13-of-15 free throws. He had 32 points at Daemen, dropping in 6-of-12 3-pointers while going 10-of-11 at the charity stripe.  Mason is averaging 16.0 ppg. and is second on the team with 79 assists. He has made 53-of-147 3-pointers. He has moved into second place in career scoring and now has 1,899 career points, 56 points shy of breaking the school record. He is also fifth in career assists with 391. 
  • Keshawn Liggins was recently named to the Bevo Francis Award Watch List, and was also selected the Division II Bulletin Player of the Month for January. He has had 13th double-doubles and has pulled down 10-or-more rebounds in 14 contests. The 6'5" senior leads the PSAC in scoring (23.9 ppg.) and ranks eighth in Division II, and is third and 12th, respectively, in rebounding (10.7 rpg.). He scored a career-high 39 points vs. Seton Hill and 38 against Charleston. Liggins is a transfer from Idaho State and has been an ironman, ranking fourth in the country in minutes per game (38.8). His 13 double-doubles ranks third in the PSAC and 11th in Division II.
  • Liggins has scored 550 points this season, which ranks 12th in a season at Edinboro.
  • Anthony Coleman is a multi-faceted scorer who can burn the opposition from deep, or drive strong to the basket. The transfer from Cincinnati State CC displayed the former in the first meeting with. Gannon as he burned the Golden Knights for a season-high 32 points, making 7-of-12 3-pointers. The latter was in evidence against Clarion, as the 6'3" guard consistently drove to the hoop, ending the night with 24 points (8-of-12 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs). He added 10 rebounds for his first double-double. Coleman has had six games of 20-or-more points, including 30 points in an upset of Shippensburg. He is the top 3-point threat on the team, making 58-of-142 3-pointers. He ranks eighth in the PSAC in 3-point percentage (40.8 pct.) and is eighth in 3-pointers made per game (2.5).  
  • The Fighting Scots posted the biggest win in Cleary's four-plus seasons as head coach earlier this year, an 88-86 triumph over eighth-ranked Shippensburg. Edinboro had previously upset 16th-ranked Indiana(Pa.), 79-77 in overtime, in 2014-15. 
  • A two-year starter at right tackle on the offensive lineman, Trey Staunch is now making a now for himself on the hardwood. A former standout in football and basketball at West Middlesex High School, the 6'4", 265 lb. junior is playing a larger role each game. On the season, he is averaging 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds, but over the last seven games he is averaging 10.3 ppg. and 5.0 rpg. He is an excellent free throw shooter, hitting 81.8 percent at the charity stripe. Staunch joined the basketball team at the conclusion of the football season.
  • The combination of Jack Frank  and Staunch is providing the Fighting Scots with plenty of production in the post. Frank, a 6'8" junior, is Edinboro's second-leading rebounder at 6.4 per game. He pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds in the first meeting with California(Pa.) and added 11 vs. Clarion.
  • Mike Beck comes off the top game of his career as the 6'4" senior scored a career-high 23 points against Slippery Rock on Wednesday. He made 5-of-8 3-pointers while playing his usual strong defense. Beck has made 34-of-86 3-pointers while averaging 6.6 ppg. He has been assigned some of the top scorers in the PSAC defensively.
  • The freshman tandem of Alex Jay and Jaryn Simpson possesses some impressive genes and have provided the Fighting Scots with valuable minutes. Jay is the son of Sarah (Bishop) Jay, who ranks fourth in career scoring for the Edinboro women's basketball team, Simpson's father Bronze, is one of the all-time leading scorers and rebounders at Gannon. Jay, a 6'3" guard, is averaging 3.7 ppg. in 13.8 minutes per game and has made 17-of-49 3-pointers. Simpson, a 6'1" guard, is averaging 3.4 ppg. with 45 assists in 14.5 minutes per game.

Scouting the Golden Eagles
  • Clarion comes into Wednesday's game with a 3-22 record and is 0-19 in PSAC action. The Golden Eagles have lost 14 straight games and 21 of their last 22. The lone win was an 84-53 victory over Penn State DuBois. Clarion is 2-10 at home. The Golden Eagles were picked to finish ninth in the PSAC West.
  • Head coach Marcess Williams is in his fourth season at Clarion. A year ago, the Golden Eagles finished with a 7-21 record. Williams has a 34-67 record at Clarion.
  • Clarion is 14th in the PSAC in scoring offense (72.8 ppg.) and 17th in scoring defense (86.3 ppg.). The Golden Eagles have allowed 90-or-more points in ten contests this season, but just once in the last eight. In addition, they have struggled on the glass, ranking 17th in the PSAC in rebounding margin (-7.6).
  • Clarion comes off a 102-66 loss to Indiana(Pa.) on Wednesday. Cameron Grumley led the Golden Eagles with 26 points.
  • The Golden Eagles were forced to play with a depleted roster during the middle of the season. They had a stretch of six games where no more than seven players were available.
  • Senior guard Cameron Grumley leads the Golden Eagles. He had a string of 20 straight games in double figures before being held to six points by Pitt-Johnstown recently. He has 1,151 career points. Grumley averages 17.0 ppg. and has made 51-of-137 3-pointers. He also leads the team in assists (73) and steals (36), and even averages a team-high 5.7 rpg. A year ago, Grumley led NCAA Division II in free throw percentage at 95.3 pct. He currently ranks third in the PSAC in free throw percentage at 90.5 pct. (67-of-74).
  • Mason Mraz, a 6'3" freshman guard, is also in double digits at 11.5 ppg., and has made 45 of 132 3-point attempts. He is second on the team in rebounding at 5.6 per game.
  • Khari Williams is another freshman seeing plenty of action. The 6'4" guard averages 8.4 ppg.   
    
Jaymon Mason in the Record Books SEASON RECORDS | CAREER RECORDS
  • CAREER SCORING: Second all-time with 1,899 points. 
  • CAREER SCORING AVERAGE:  Fifth at 18.6 ppg.
  • CAREER 3-POINTERS: Is second in career 3-pointers made with 220 3-pointers made and is second in career 3-pointers attempted with 573. Is also  eighth in career 3-point field goal percentage at 38.1 percent 
  • CAREER FREE THROWS MADE: Broke Bryan Theriot's school record of 402 free throws made in the season opener. Mason now holds the record with 479.   
  • CAREER FREE THROWS ATTEMPTED:  Ranks first with 573 free throw attempts.
  • CAREER FREE THROW PERCENTAGE:  Ranks sixth at 83.5 percent
  • CAREER ASSISTS:  Is fifth with 394
  • CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE:  Ranks fifth with 600
  • CAREER FIELD GOALS ATTEMPTED:  Ranks fourth with 1,412
 
NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING SCOTS:  Wednesday, February 21 at Clarion -- 7:30 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Mike Beck

#23 Mike Beck

F/G
6' 3"
Sophomore
Jaymon Mason

#5 Jaymon Mason

G
6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
Mike Beck

#23 Mike Beck

F/G
6' 4"
Senior
Jack Frank

#21 Jack Frank

F
6' 8"
Junior
Jaymon Mason

#5 Jaymon Mason

G
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
Anthony Coleman

#4 Anthony Coleman

G
6' 3"
Junior
Alex Jay

#13 Alex Jay

G
6' 3"
Freshman
Keshawn Liggins

#3 Keshawn Liggins

G/F
6' 5"
Senior
Jaryn Simpson

#14 Jaryn Simpson

G
6' 1"
Freshman
Trey Staunch

#45 Trey Staunch

F
6' 4"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Mike Beck

#23 Mike Beck

6' 3"
Sophomore
F/G
Jaymon Mason

#5 Jaymon Mason

6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Mike Beck

#23 Mike Beck

6' 4"
Senior
F/G
Jack Frank

#21 Jack Frank

6' 8"
Junior
F
Jaymon Mason

#5 Jaymon Mason

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
G
Anthony Coleman

#4 Anthony Coleman

6' 3"
Junior
G
Alex Jay

#13 Alex Jay

6' 3"
Freshman
G
Keshawn Liggins

#3 Keshawn Liggins

6' 5"
Senior
G/F
Jaryn Simpson

#14 Jaryn Simpson

6' 1"
Freshman
G
Trey Staunch

#45 Trey Staunch

6' 4"
Junior
F