SLIPPERY ROCK — A strong second half powered the Slippery Rock University men’s basketball team to an 82-65 victory over Clarion Saturday at Morrow Field House.

Though the visiting Golden Eagles (3-21, 0-18) entered the game winless in PSAC play, they trailed The Rock (19-6, 13-6) by only one point at halftime.

SRU limited Clarion to eight field goals in the second half and sank 18 of 24 free throws to win going away. Micah Till produced his 18th double-double of the season for The Rock, tallying 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Gabe Mack came off the bench to score 19 points. Brandon Simmons produced 12 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots. He needs one more block to tie the school record of 68 in a season, set by Kevin Jones during the 1990-91 campaign.

Khari Williams and Brandon Williams scored 14 points each for Clarion.

Saturday’s win enabled SRU to maintain second place in the PSAC West.

SRU (women) 74, Clarion 64 — The Rock (12-12, 10-9) reached .500 with its second straight victory. SRU also controls its own destiny on the path to a PSAC Tournament berth with three games remaining.

The Rock sits 2.5 games ahead of Mercyhurst for the final tourney berth in the West Division and trails Gannon by half a game for fifth place.

Morgan Henderson scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for SRU. She had three assists as well.

Brooke Hinderliter contributed 14 points and four steals while Karns City graduate LeeAnn Gibson had 10 points and seven rebounds. Gibson has scored 10 or more points in six of her team’s last eight games.

Skyla O’Connor came off the bench to score 10 points. Amesha Harden-Pullium led Clarion (7-17, 2-16) with 21 points while Taylor Moltz added 17.

Both Rock teams travel to Edinboro Wednesday night.

CCBC 110, Butler County Community College 83 — Brendan Record scored 31 points and tallied five assists for the Pioneers (3-23, 2-8) in this defeat.

Joel Stutz had 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jace Stutz had 14 points and Josh Knochel 12.

The Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference Tournament for men’s and women’s teams begin Friday.