With everything seemingly lined up perfectly in its favor, St. Joseph was looking to extend its winning streak to seven with a victory over Clairton and remain unbeaten at home this season.
Jittery Clairton, which, due to an extended football season and a couple of weather postponements, was playing its season opener Tuesday night, the Bears' first game since a first-round PIAA playoff game March 6 of last year.
But St. Joseph couldn't shake a cold shooting night and missed a key opportunity, dropping a 58-50 decision in a Section 4-A game at the Walter Dublak Athletic Center.
Clairton looked shaky early, turning the ball over and giving St. Joseph scoring opportunities. The Spartans, who trailed by two at halftime and after three quarters, couldn't finish, though, and paid the price.
"The stars were aligned; this was probably our best chance to beat Clairton," coach Kelly Robinson said. "It was just one of those nights when we didn't shoot well inside or outside."
St. Joseph (9-3, 1-1), which played a decent enough defensive game, shot 19 for 64 from the floor, including 4 for 21 from 3-point range.
"We didn't knock down shots," Robinson said. "They didn't fall. We wanted to run, run, run with them, and I thought we did that well."
St. Joseph fell to 5-1 at home this season.
Junior guard Brian Heinle gave the Spartans their first lead since 4-2 with a basket at the 5:51 mark of the second quarter, at 29-28.
Forward Paul O'Donnell scored inside to push the advantage to 31-28, but the lead was short-lived.
Clairton's Chanze James hit back-to-back shots to put the Bears (1-0, 1-0) back in control.
The Spartans tied it at 39-39 on a 3-pointer by Erik Roming at the start of the third but never led again.
Clairton forward Desimon Green had 15 of his game-high 24 points in the second half. He helped push the lead to 11 late in the fourth.
Clairton coach Von Pitts, itching to get his team some momentum, was more concerned with his backcourt players and their inconsistent play.
"Our guard play is imperative for our success," Pitts said. "We're trying a lot of guys there; throwing guys into the fire. We need to get consistency from our guards."
Clairton used some late fast-break baskets to extend its lead.
Pitt football recruit Kevin Weatherspoon made a key steal that led to a hoop by Brian Boyd to make it 51-43.
Boyd added 14 points for the Bears.
Heinle finished with a team-high 18 and was the only St. Joseph player in double figures.
"They say you steal games on the road and win them at home," Pitts said. "We weren't at our best tonight. We still need to work on some things and get better."
Robinson expects St. Joseph to shoot better tonight in a nonsection game at Mars.
