COMMODORE — The Clearfield Area High School boys basketball team saw a five-point halftime lead evaporate in the third quarter, and Purchase Line pulled away in the final eight minutes to a 56-45 victory in the 39th annual Purchase Line Lions Club Christmas Tournament championship game Friday night.
The Bison were in front 27-22 after a 17-point second quarter fueled by Cade Walker and Reese Wilson with five points apiece.
However, their offense stalled in the third period as they fell behind 38-35 heading to the fourth quarter, where the Red Dragons increased their advantage with Melvin Sanchez and Dominique Campbell accounting for 14 of their 18 points.
Walker scored a game-high 15 points for Clearfield, which was seeking a fourth consecutive title.
Wilson checked in with nine points and nine of the Bison’s 31 rebounds.
Both were named to the all-tournament team.
The Bison did outrebound the Red Dragons by seven boards, but they managed only three assists and were guilty of 16 turnovers.
Both teams were 9-for-19 at the foul line, with Clearfield (3-3) only 6-for-15 in the second half.
“Our kids played hard and competed against a very talented and well-coached team,” Clearfield coach Nate Glunt said. “We missed a lot of foul shots, especially in the second half, and had a few costly turnovers.
“But I’m proud of how they battled and how we are continuing to improve.”
For Purchase Line (6-2), Dominique and Shamar Campbell tallied 14 points apiece, Sanchez finished with 13, all in the second half when he made seven of eight free throws, and Jacob Barnett chipped in 10.
The Bison will be off until Friday when they host Tyrone in a Mountain League game.
CLEARFIELD — 45
Ryan Chew 1 0-2 2, Reese Wilson 2 5-7 9, Jon Gates 2 0-3 4, Wyatt Porter 1 2-2 5, Cade Walker 6 2-5 15, Taye Lynch 3 0-0 6, Karson Rumsky 0 0-0 0, Jake Lezzer 0 0-0 0, Keagan Hess 2 0-0 4. TOTALS: 17 9-19 45.
PURCHASE LINE — 56
Shamar Campbell 7 0-2 14, Austin Alessi 0 0-0 0, Melvin Sanchez 3 7-8 13, Jacob Barnett 5 0-1 10, Micah Kurka 2 0-0 5, Dominique Campbell 5 2-6 14, Hunter Antisdel 0 0-2 0. TOTALS: 21 9-19 56.
Three-Point Field Goals — Clearfield 2 (Porter, Walker); Purchase Line 3 (Kurka, D. Campbell 2).
Score by Quarters
Clearfield          10 17   8 10 – 45
Purchase Line 10 12 16 18 – 56
Bison Scoreboard:
| Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 12/08 | CURWENSVILLE | 54 – 52 | 1 – 0 |
| 12/13 | CENTRAL | 45 – 56 | 1 – 1 |
| 12/15 | @ Huntingdon | 62 – 85 | 1 – 2 |
| 12/20 | @ Bellefonte | 50 – 41 | 2 – 2 |
| 12/28 | @ Purchase Line Christmas Tourney | ||
| 12/28 | vs. Harmony | 73-31 | 3 – 2 |
| 12/29 | @ Purchase Line Christmas Tourney | ||
| 12/29 | vs. Purchase Line | 45 – 56 | 3 – 3 |
| 01/05 | TYRONE | ||
| 01/08 | @ Punxsutawney | ||
| 01/10 | @ Bald Eagle Area | ||
| 01/12 | PENNS VALLEY | ||
| 01/15 | @ Clarion-Limestone | ||
| 01/16 | @ Philipsburg-Osceola | ||
| 01/19 | @ Central | ||
| 01/22 | DUBOIS | ||
| 01/24 | HUNTINGDON | ||
| 01/26 | BELLEFONTE | ||
| 01/30 | @ Tyrone | ||
| 02/01 | BROOKVILLE | ||
| 02/02 | BALD EAGLE AREA | ||
| 02/07 | @ Penns Valley | ||
| 02/09 | PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA | ||
| 02/12 | @ Curwensville |
