ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon women's basketball team will host the final regular-season home game of the year at the Hammermill Center Saturday when they take on Lock Haven at 1 p.m. The Game also serves as the Lady Knights annual
Pink Zone game which works to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. Admission to both the men's and women's games is free of charge.
The Lady Knights are asking fans and the community to “black out” breast cancer on Saturday. It will represent the Lady Knights' fifth annual
Pink Zone game to honor and recognize breast cancer survivors, to educate about breast cancer and to help raise funds for breast cancer research and those affected by the disease.
The Lady Knights, coached by
Cleve Wright, have set a goal of raising $15,000 for the Erie Unit of the American Cancer Society. The team's four previous
Pink Zones have raised a total of $52,500, with an average attendance of 2,500.
The
Pink Zone doubleheader will feature a plethora of activities and giveaways. The first 500 fans to attend the women's game wearing the 2012 edition of the Pink Zone t-shirt will receive a free pink rally towel. Approximately 200 glow-in-the-dark necklaces will be available for kids attending the game.
The Erie Bayhawks and the Gannon women's basketball program have joined forces to provide
Pink Zone supporters an opportunity to see the Bayhawks up close. Courtside seats for the February 18 Erie-Dakota match-up at the Tullio Arena will be auctioned off. In addition, “Buy one, get one free” coupons for that same Erie Bayhawks contest will be available at Gannon's
Pink Zone event.
The women's basketball team will also raise money through gift baskets and other items that will be raffled off the day of the game. Cancer survivors will be recognized throughout the game during time-outs.
Gannon (19-4, 16-3) enters Saturday's contest with a two-game lead over Indiana (Pa.) for the second spot in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division. The top two teams in the West will host a PSAC Tournament Quarterfinal game on Tuesday, February 28.
The game also serves as senior night for the Gannon basketball programs. The Lady Knights will honor seniors
Caitlyn Lowe (Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) and
Becky Innes (Erie, Pa. / McDowell) prior to the start of the men's contest.
Lock Haven is 8-14 overall this season with a 7-12 mark in the PSAC. The Lady Eagles have lost seven of their last eight contests with the only win coming against Slippery Rock (76-67). Lock Haven features a pair of Lady Eagles averaging double digits. Peaches Nesmith leads the team in both scoring (13.7) and rebounding (6.3) with Sharay close behind at 12.0 points and 6.0 rebounds.
