ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon men's basketball team hopes to extend its season-best six-game win streak this weekend when the Golden Knights conclude Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover play with a pair of road contests. Gannon travels to Cheyney Friday, January 11 for a 3 p.m. afternoon start and West Chester Saturday, January 12 with a 7:30 p.m. night battle. Both contests can be heard live on Jet Radio 1400.
Gannon (11-2, 5-2 PSAC) continues to build on a season of streaks. The Golden Knights opened the campaign with five consecutive victories, dropped the next two games and are now on a six-game winning streak. The squad swept a pair of PSAC crossover home games last weekend against Bloomsburg (81-55) and Mansfield (88-64). Gannon is a perfect 4-0 away from the Hammermill Center this season.
Head coach
John T. Reilly's club has soared to the top of the PSAC in several categories. The Golden Knights are No. 1 in scoring defense (56.9), scoring margin (14.0), field goal percentage (49.6), field goal percentage defense (36.7) and rebounding defense (28.5). The squad ranks fourth among all NCAA Division II programs in field goal percentage defense, fifth in scoring defense, 10th in rebounding margin, 22nd in free throw percentage, 22nd in scoring margin and 23rd in field goal percentage.
Redshirt senior
Darrell Blanton continues to lead the PSAC and ranks 14th nationally in field goal percentage (63.4). Junior
Jabs Newby is now fourth among conference players in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7) after dishing out 19 assists compared to only two turnovers in 60 minutes at point guard last weekend.
Cheyney (5-6, 3-4) has dropped four of its last six games, but is coming off a 72-60 victory at Clarion and already owns a 64-60 home win against nationally-ranked Indiana (Pa.). The Wolves feature one of the PSAC's best players in senior Jason Sabb who ranks 14th among all NCAA Division II players with 21.5 points per game.
West Chester (7-4, 5-2) rides a two-game win streak into Friday's game against Mercyhurst after road victories last weekend at Clarion (78-66) and Lock Haven (84-74). The Golden Rams are 5-1 on the road, but only 2-3 at home. Jon Breeden ranks 13th among all NCAA Division II players in free throw percentage (91.9).
Gannon leads the all-time series against both opponents. The Golden Knights are 15-11 all-time against Cheyney, but suffered an 85-66 loss during their only appearance at Cope Hall in 2010-11. Gannon is 4-1 all-time against West Chester, but fell 83-79 at Hollinger Field House last season.
