SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Junior forward Will Royal posted his second double-double in three games this season as the Shippensburg University men's basketball team held the league's highest-scoring team 26 points below its season average on Saturday afternoon in a 69-63 victory over previously unbeaten Clarion.

Shippensburg (5-6) committed just seven turnovers, its fewest in a contest since the 2006 PSAC Championship game, while posting a positive assist-to-turnover ratio for the third straight game and the fifth time in 11 contests this season.

The two teams played through 10 ties and 18 lead changes. SU took the lead for good with 2:18 remaining, as sophomore forward Will Kirkland grabbed an offensive rebound and had the putback to put SU up 58-57. Kirkland made his season debut and was impressive throughout, scoring a career-high 12 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists without committing a turnover in 21 minutes off the bench.

Following a missed free throw on a 1-and-1 by Clarion, senior Jaren Gembe hit a clutch three with 1:40 remaining to put Shippensburg up by four points. Gembe had 13 points and four assists while shooting 3-of-6 from three-point range.

Clinging to a two-point lead entering the final minute of play, Royal drew a foul with 56 seconds to go and made both of his free throws. Shippensburg entered the game ranked next to last in the PSAC with a .624 free-throw percentage but hit all eight of its attempts from the line in the final minute to secure the victory.

Royal was outstanding once again, totaling 17 points and 10 rebounds. He was 5-of-8 from the floor and 7-of-9 from the free throw line in 25 minutes. Through three games, Royal has scored 48 points and grabbed 31 rebounds.

Freshman Dylan Edgar had a strong first half that included two tip-ins and finished the game with nine points, seven rebounds and two assists. Junior Jordan Stasyszyn delivered seven off the bench while fellow junior Craig Van Scyoc hit two three-pointers, bringing his season total to 28.

Clarion (9-1) entered the game leading the PSAC in scoring offense (89.7), scoring margin (+19.4), free-throw percentage (74.8), field-goal percentage (52.0), three-point percentage (47.0), assists (18.3) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2). The Golden Eagles were held below their season average in all of these categories by the Red Raiders.

SU has won six of its last seven games against the Golden Eagles inside Heiges Field House.

Shippensburg hosts Gannon at 3 p.m. Sunday from Heiges Field House.