CLARION, Pa. – Junior guard Marcus Banks (Clinton, Md./Riverdale Baptist) scored a career-high 26 points to lead Shepherd (6-5, 3-2 PSAC) to an 80-77 win over Clarion (7-6, 2-3 PSAC) in PSAC men's basketball action at Clarion on Friday.

Banks connected on 7-of-12 field goals with a 3-of-5 effort from three-point range. He was 9-of-13 from the line. Banks also grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals.

Sophomore guard Elwyne Wordlaw (Frederick, Md./Frederick) added 14 points and  a game-high five assists.

Sophomore guard Brody Davis (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) added 12 points, while forward Favor Okigweh (Edgewood, Md./Parkville/The Winchedon School) posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Gavin Cote had 19 points to pace the Golden Eagles. Trey Nelson and Justice Easter each added 13 points.  
          
Shepherd had a 35-29 lead at halftime.
 
The game featured six lead changes and three ties. Shepherd took the lead for good at 44-43 on a free throw by Wordlaw with 14:27 left. A close game throughout, Clarion cut the lead to two points at 79-77 on a three-pointer by Justice Easter with eight seconds remaining in regulation. Banks hit 1-of-2 free throws and Easter's last-second three-point attempt was off the mark as the Rams held on for the win.
 
Shepherd connected on 47.2 percent (25-53) of its field goals with a 45 percent (9-20) performance from three-point range for the game. The Rams drained 70 percent (21-30) of their free throws.
 
Clarion shot 41.1 percent (30-73) from the floor with a 26.3 percent (5-19) effort from beyond the arc. The Golden Eagles hit 70.6 percent (12-17) from the foul line.

Shepherd had a 39-37 rebounding advantage. The Rams forced eight turnovers and committed 13.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they travel to face Pitt Johnstown for a 3 p.m. contest.