ERIE, Pa. - The sixth-ranked Gannon women's basketball team begins a crucial two-game Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division road swing Wednesday, February 6 at Indiana (Pa.). The contest is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and can be heard live locally on Jet Radio 1400.
Gannon (20-2, 14-1 PSAC) has already clinched a playoff spot in the PSAC Tournament, representing the program's 15th postseason appearance during the last 16 seasons. The first-place Lady Knights hold a two-game lead over two-time defending PSAC champion Edinboro with seven regular-season games remaining. The squad has already clinched at least a home game in the PSAC first round. Gannon can secure a first-round bye and a PSAC quarterfinal home game with two victories this week combined with an IUP lost at Clarion Saturday night.
Head coach
Cleve Wright's club is ranked sixth in the latest
USA Today Sports Division II Coaches' Poll. The Lady Knights have been ranked among the nation's top 25 in 21 consecutive polls dating back to last season. The squad is 3-1 against top-25 teams and has defeated two programs listed among others receiving votes at the time of competition.
Brittany Batts is back to No. 2 nationally in three-point field goal percentage, hitting 46.3 percent of her long range shots. The sophomore remained fourth in the latest NCAA statistical release in three-pointers per game (3.36). Fellow sophomore
Nettie Blake popped into the national rankings for double-doubles, appearing at 83rd among all NCAA Division II players with five double dips.
Indiana (Pa.) (16-5, 11-4) has been nationally-ranked for the majority of the season, but is among others receiving votes in the latest national poll. The Crimson Hawks are 8-1 at home. The squad leads the PSAC in scoring defense (54.8).
The Gannon-Indiana (Pa.) series has become one of the best in the PSAC. Indiana (Pa.) has won four of the last six and leads the all-time series 15-11. Most of that success has come at home where the Crimson Hawks are 9-3 against the Lady Knights. Gannon won the first meeting this year 69-58 at the 'Mill on December 8.
