ERIE, Pa. – The sixth-ranked Gannon women's basketball team out-scored California (Pa.) 25-4 over a 12:05 time period that spanned both halves and posted a 65-53 victory Saturday afternoon at the Hammermill Center.
California (Pa.) had the early control. The Vulcans jumped out to a 17-8 lead midway through the first half after snapping a 7-7 tie with a 10-1 run. The visitors went 4-of-5 during the run that lasted 90 seconds. Meanwhile, Gannon went 0-of-5 with three turnovers.
Gannon was able to control the rest of the half, out-scoring Cal 17-2 during the final eight minutes.
Jen Papich (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) ignited a rally with a fastbreak lay-up, before
Jennie Thies (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern) scored six consecutive points.
The Lady Knights eventually tied the game and took the lead on a pair of Papich free throws with 5:01 remaining in the first half. In all, Gannon scored the final 11 points before halftime. The defensive unit forced Cal to miss its final eight shots with three turnovers during the final six minutes of the first half. It all added up to a 28-22 Gannon lead at the break.
Gannon needed only 88 seconds to bump its lead into double digits after the intermission. Two free throws and a jumper from
Nettie Blake (Jersey City, N.J./Marist) gave the Lady Knights a 32-22 lead. The overall 25-4 blitz came to an end on two more Blake free throws at the 16:42 mark, giving the home squad a 36-24 edge. Neither team made a significant run the rest of the way as the lead hovered between six and 13 points until the final horn sounded with a 65-53 Gannon victory.
Papich led all scorers on both teams with 19 points, narrowly missing a double-double with eight rebounds.
Brittany Batts (Leesburg, Va./Loudoun County) dropped in 13 points despite making only one three-pointer.
Gannon shot 40.9 percent (18-44) from the field, 23.1 percent (3-13) from three-point range and 72.2 percent (26-36) from the free throw line.
Ashley Hines was the only Vulcan in double digits with 11 points and eight rebounds off the bench. All five starters failed to reach double digits and combined to shoot 13-of-51.
California (Pa.) shot 32.8 percent (20-61) from the floor, 7.7 percent (2-26) from behind the arc and 64.7 percent (11-17) from the charity stripe. The Vulcans are the fourth team during Gannon's last eight games to hit only two three-pointers or less. They also became the third opponent this season shoot under 10 percent from long range.
Gannon, ranked sixth in the
USA Today Sports Division II Coaches' Poll, improved to 16-2 overall and 10-1 in the PSAC with the 15th victory in its last 16 games. The Lady Knights have won 13 consecutive regular-season home games and 19 straight games when leading at halftime.
California (Pa.) dropped to 10-5 overall and 6-5 in conference action with its third consecutive loss. The Vulcans, who were among others receiving votes in the national rankings, have lost three in a row for the first time since February 2-8, 2009.
Head coach
Cleve Wright's club returns to action Wednesday, January 23 against rival Mercyhurst at the Hammermill Center. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
