(Photo: BJ Andrews)

The Golden Eagles (6-11 overall, 4-10 PSAC West) trail the Mountain Cats (9-9, 6-8) and Edinboro (9-9, 6-8) by two games for the final PSAC playoff spot awarded to the PSAC West with eight games remaining meaning its nearly a must-win for Clarion, which will look toward sophomore BJ Andrews to lead the way.

Andrews enjoys home cooking and is Clarion’s leading scorer at home this season averaging 13.6 points per game in seven home contests including setting career highs in each of his last two home games with a 21-point effort against Mercyhurst Jan. 14 and a 23-point effort against IUP Saturday. On the year, Andrews averages 11.4 points per game, one of three Golden Eagles averaging in double digits.

Kyheim Hall leads Clarion in scoring at 12.9 points per game and is the top rebounder on the team with 6.4 boards per game. Hall also ranks second in the PSAC in steals per game with 2.76, one of four Golden Eagles in the top 21 in the conference in steals helping Clarion lead the conference with 11.65.

Darius Stevens and Cameron Grumley are both 21st in the conference in steals with 1.47, while Andrews is 14th with 1.65.

Stevens is also the second-leading scorer and rebounder on the team averaging 11.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Pitt-Johnstown is led by A.J. Leahey’s 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest. Matt Palo adds 13.6 points per game, and Ian Vescovi chips in 11.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

This is the second meeting of the season between the teams with Pitt-Johnstown getting an 82-77 win in Johnstown Nov. 19 behind 22 points from Palo. Hall had 20 points and 12 boards to lead Clarion.

The Golden Eagles are off this weekend before returning to action at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 when they host Seton Hill.