The No. 25 Shippensburg University men's basketball team used an explosive 25-2 run to close the first half on Wednesday, as the Raiders ultimately out-lasted Clarion 79-66 in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup from CU's Student Recreation Center.  
 
Shippensburg (10-2, 4-1 PSAC) and Clarion (2-6, 1-4) were within two points of each other, 24-22, with eight minutes remaining in the first half. Coming out of the under-8 media timeout, the Raiders closed the frame with a 25-2 run to gain a 48-24 halftime advantage.
 
SU did not commit a turnover in the first half, shooting 45 percent (9-of-20) from three-point range and 50 percent (19-of-38) overall in the frame. The large halftime advantage allowed the Raiders to overcome a second half in which they shot just 25 percent from the field. Clarion got within six points of the lead with 6:32 remaining.
 
Sophomore Jake Biss paced four Raiders in double figures with a career-high 18 points, making two three-pointers. Six of Biss's seven assists came in the first half, and he did not commit a turnover in 39 minutes of action.
 
Junior Lamar Talley and senior Antonio Kellem each made four three-pointers. Talley finished with 17 points, making 4-of-9 from deep, and had four rebounds without committing a turnover. Kellem had 15 points, shooting 4-of-8 from deep, to go along with five rebounds and two assists.
 
Junior John Castello scored 13 points and tied redshirt-senior Manny Span with a team-high eight rebounds. Span scored all five of his points at the free-throw line, making all but one of his attempts, and also had two assists.
 
Off the bench, redshirt-freshman Dom Sleva had five points and seven rebounds. Junior Daylon Carter and freshman Carlos Carter combined for six points.

UP NEXT: Saturday, Dec. 29, 3 p.m. vs. Mercyhurst.