ERIE, Pa. – There is no time to warm-up for the Gannon men's basketball team. The Golden Knights kick off their 2013-14 campaign Wednesday, November 20 with a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division battle against California (Pa.). The immediate divisional match-up is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and can be heard live locally on Jet Radio 1400.
Ticket windows will open at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday's contest will be part of a PSAC doubleheader that begins with the women's teams at 5:30 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 (0-0, 0-0 PSAC West) was predicted to finish second in the PSAC Western Division according to the league's preseason coaches poll. The Golden Knights bring back six letterwinners and three starters from a team that finished 22-7 overall last season. It represented the 25th 20-win campaign in school history. Gannon finished second in the PSAC Western Division with a 16-6 conference mark to qualify for its 13th postseason appearance during the last 17 years.
Head coach
John T. Reilly's club has posted at least 14 wins five times during the last six seasons and has recorded 37 winning seasons during the last 41 years. The Golden Knights enter the 2013-14 campaign 12th all-time among NCAA Division II programs in winning percentage (1,164-651 / .641).
Gannon has split its last four season openers after winning 39 of 40 from 1969-2008. The Golden Knights are 54-15 all-time in season openers, including a 44-7 mark at the Hammermill Center.
California (Pa.) (1-2, 0-0 PSAC West) already has three regular-season games under its belt. The Vulcans opened the campaign with a pair of losses to Shepherd and Charleston, before defeating Penn State-Greater Allegheny in their home opener. Cal was picked to finish fourth in the PSAC West according to the league's preseason coaches poll.
Gannon swept the season series against California (Pa.) last year to increase its lead in the all-time series to 12-10. The Vulcans had won the previous five match-ups. The Golden Knights have been effective at the Hammermill Center where they are 10-3 all-time against Cal, including an 82-59 victory last season.
