STRATTANVILLE — It was 10 days ago when the Clearfield Bison and the Clarion-Limestone Lions put up one of the highest-combined total scores on the Bison season. Clearfield was able to achieve the 70-60 victory that afternoon in the Bison Gymnasium. Now, it was round two, as Clearfield loaded up for the ride to Strattanville for another go at the Lions.
Although the score was not as high, the result in the end was the same, as Clearfield would utilize a strong fourth quarter to take down the Lions, 45-40.
The Lions would pull out to a slight lead to start the game, but Clearfield pulled back in the second quarter, keeping the home squad within their sight. Despite being down 22-21 at the half, Clearfield could sense they were getting close. However, Clarion-Limestone would push that lead out again in the third quarter. With only one stanza remaining, Clearfield faced a 32-29 deficit.
That was when the Clearfield Bison bench got active, as both Jake Lezzer and Ryan Gearhart nailed key buckets. That play ignited the senior that hit 1000 career points just days earlier, Karson Rumsky.
He would drain seven critical points, as the bench help fueled Clearfield’s push. The final quarter saw Clearfield double-up the Lions, 16-8, enough to pull away and hold on for the victory.
Rumsky finished the night with a double-double, bucketing a game-high 16 points plus 11 rebounds and five steals. Cole Miller accounted for eight points, but pulled down seven critical rebounds in the game.
Hayden Callen would pace the Lions with 14 points, including 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Both squads saw significant time at the line on the night, but Clearfield finished 11-for-16. Thirteen of those attempts came in the critical final quarter for the Bison, with nine of them going in the net. Clarion-Limestone finished 9-for-14, only going 3-for-6 in the final frame.
Clearfield (13-5) is back in the Bison Gym on Wednesday night when they welcome in the West Branch Warriors. Varsity tip-off is tentatively set for 7:30 p.m.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Clearfield 7 14 8 16 – 45
Clarion-Limestone 9 13 10 8 – 40
CLEARFIELD – 45
Karson Rumsky 5 5-8 16, Luke Winters 2 1-2 5, Matt Pallo 0 0-0 0, Nick Ryan 1 1-2 3, Cole Miller 3 0-0 8, Ryan Gearhart 1 4-4 7, Jake Lezzer 1 0-0 2, Curvey Purkett 2 0-0 4, Isakk Way 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 15 11-16 45.
CLARION-LIMESTONE – 40
Jordan Hesdon 3 2-4 8, Hayden Siegel 0 0-0 0, Ryan Hummell 2 0-0 4, Braden Rankin 0 0-0 0, Hayden Callen 5 4-4 14, Alex Painter 0 0-0 0, Riley Klingsworth 2 0-0 5, Tommy Smith 1 3-6 5. TOTALS 13 9-14 40.
