ERIE, Pa. - The sixth-ranked Gannon women's basketball team returns home for the first time in two weeks Saturday, January 19 when it hosts California (Pa.) at the Hammermill Center. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. due to the Burger King Classic taking place at the 'Mill Saturday night. The contest can be heard live locally on 90.5 WERG.
Ticket windows will open at 12 noon. Saturday's contest will be part of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) doubleheader that concludes with the men's teams at 3 p.m. Tickets for the doubleheader cost $5 for adults and $3 for non-Gannon students and senior citizens.
All Gannon students are admitted free of charge by showing their school ID at the front door.
Gannon (15-2, 9-1) is coming off a rude awakening last Wednesday when two-time defending PSAC champion Edinboro snapped the Lady Knights' 14-game win streak with a 65-52 victory at the McComb Fieldhouse. The squad had 21 turnovers compared to only six assists and went 0-of-10 from three-point range. It marked the first time the Lady Knights were held without a three-point field goal since going 0-of-9 against Edinboro on February 9, 2011.
On the bright side,
Nettie Blake continues to flourish in the sixth man role. The sophomore ripped off a career-high 21 points and eight rebounds during 27 minutes off the bench. She is averaging 14.3 points and 6.8 rebounds during the last four games.
Gannon is ranked sixth in the latest
USA Today Sports Division II Coaches' Poll. The Lady Knights have been nationally ranked in 18 consecutive polls dating back to last season. The first NCAA Division II regional rankings aren't scheduled to be released until February 20.
California (Pa.) (10-4, 6-4) becomes the latest in a long string of Gannon opponents either nationally ranked or among others receiving votes. The Vulcans were one of 32 programs listed among others receiving votes in the latest
USA Today Sports Division II Coaches' Poll. In addition to a 3-1 record, against top-25 teams this season, Gannon is also 2-0 against teams that were among others receiving votes at the time of competition.
Head coach Jess Strom leads a storied Cal program that has won four PSAC championships and an NCAA Division II national title in 2003-04. The Vulcans have made 11 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, advancing to the Elite Eight four times and the Final Four twice.
California (Pa.) will be looking to snap a brief two-game losing streak after suffering back-to-back home losses against Shippensburg (82-50) and 23rd-ranked Indiana (Pa.) (59-47). It marks the first time the Vulcans have lost consecutive games this season. Cal hasn't suffered three straight losses since February 2-8, 2009.
Gannon snapped a three-game losing streak against California (Pa.) with a 92-76 home victory last season, but the Vulcans still lead the tight all-time series 13-12. Home floor has been important as Gannon is 9-2 at the Hammermill Center and 3-9 on Cal's home floor. The Lady Knights have won seven of the last eight contests in the all-time series played at the 'Mill.
