ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon men's basketball team begins the second half of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division play Wednesday, January 29 at California (Pa.). The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and can be heard live locally on Jet Radio 1400.
Gannon (11-7, 6-2 PSAC West) rides a season-high five-game win streak into Wednesday's road contest. The Golden Knights have ripped off consecutive victories against Cheyney (68-41), Clarion (60-45), Indiana (Pa.) (67-61 in ot), Edinboro (71-59) and Pitt-Johnstown (72-59) during the run. The squad will be coming off a seven-day lay-off after having a bye last Saturday. Gannon was the last PSAC Western Division team to receive its bye and will also be idle during the final day of the regular season.
Head coach
John T. Reilly's club sits in a four-way tie for first place in the PSAC West with eight games remaining. The logjam includes Indiana (Pa.), Slippery Rock and Mercyhurst with identical 6-2 division records. The top two teams receive first-round byes, before hosting quarterfinal games. The third and fourth seeds will host the fifth and sixth seeds in the first round.
Wednesday nights have been a great time for Gannon to play its games. The Golden Knights are 6-0 when playing on Wednesday this season and 10-3 in night games. Another key has been offensive firepower. Gannon is 106-18 all-time under Reilly when scoring at least 70 points.
California (Pa.) (8-10, 3-5 PSAC West) split two games last week, including a 59-56 victory at IUP. The Vulcans are 6-3 at the Convocation Center and 2-7 on the road. Cal had won five straight home games until a 56-46 loss to Seton Hill last Saturday. The Vulcans lead the PSAC in fewest turnovers per game (12.4) and rank second in turnover margin (2.3).
Gannon has won three consecutive games against California (Pa.) and leads the all-time series 13-10. The Golden Knights will be going for their second consecutive season sweep after a 59-51 home win during the 2013-14 season opener at the Hammermill Center. However, Gannon is only 2-7 on Cal's home floor where it has dropped four of the last five encounters. The last six match-ups at California (Pa.) have been decided by seven points or less, including four with one possession being the difference.
