Video Highlights and Interviews

THE BASICS
Score: at Gannon 69, West Chester 61
Records: Gannon (6-3, 5-1 PSAC), West Chester (8-1, 5-1 PSAC)
Location: Erie, Pa.  |  Hammermill Center
The Short Story: Continuing in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover action, the Gannon women's basketball team earned a 69-61 win over Eastern Division opponent West Chester Wednesday evening at the Hammermill Center. The Lady Knights were able to withstand a Golden Rams' late rally in the final minutes to hand the visiting squad their first loss of the season. The Lady Knights captured their 24th consecutive win in conference-crossover action during the regular season. Familiar faces led the Lady Knights for the second straight game. Senior Mollie Sebald (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Holy Name) matched a career-best 21 points and fellow senior Nettie Blake (Jersey City, N.J./Marist) scored a season-high 20 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- With the scored tied at four all, Gannon went on a 9-2 run to take a 15-6 lead with 14:18 remaining in the opening half. Starting with a three from senior Brittany Batts (Leesburg, Va./Loudoun County), the Lady Knights added four points to their run off a pair of jumpers by senior Candice Hendricks (Randallstown, Md./McDonogh).
- The Lady Knights pushed their lead to double digits, 20-9, following a three from junior Morgan Neighbors (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South) with 11:50 left.
- In the closing seven minutes of the first half, the Lady Knights' lead hovered between nine and seven points. The closest West Chester was able to come within the Lady Knights was six points.
- Holding a 40-32 lead just over two minutes into the second half, the Lady Knights went on a 9-1 run to push their advantage to 49-33 with 13:07 left in regulation. The 16-point lead was the Lady Knights' widest margin in the game. The run began with a three by Sebald, who counted for five of the nine points in the run.
- Following back-to-back baskets from Sebald to put the Lady Knights ahead 54-44, the Golden Rams scored eight unanswered points to pull within two points with 3:47 left on the clock.
- The Lady Knights were able to gain some insurance points before the Golden Rams erased the home team's lead to one point, 60-59, following a three from Dallas Ely with just 1:20 remaining. On the Lady Knights' next possession, Batts buried a three-pointer assisted by Blake with 51 seconds left for a 63-59 advantage.
- The final six points for the Lady Knights came at the foul line with Sebald hitting all four attempts and Hendricks connecting on the final foul line visit to seal the 69-61 win. The Lady Knights were able to hold off the Golden Rams' late rally to present them their first loss of the season.
 
GAME NOTES
- Sebald led the Lady Knights for the third straight game. The senior matched a career-high 21 points, while matching a season-high three assists and setting a new career-best two blocks to her totals in 30 minutes. She also added three steals.
- Blake scored a season-best 20 points, including 14 points in the first half alone. She went 8-for-11 from the floor and a perfect 4-for-4 from the foul line. The senior registered a career-high four blocks and seven rebounds.
- Batts added nine points with Hendricks and junior Jennie Thies (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern) each compiling six points.
- Sophomore Brianna Brennan (Woodhaven, Mich./Woodhaven) registered a season-high six rebounds with five in the first half.
- Three Golden Rams reached double figures in the loss. The Lady Knights held the Golden Rams' leading scorer Dallas Ely to three points in the opening frame, as she went on to lead her team with 15 points.
- Despite tying the game twice, the Golden Rams never held the lead in the entire contest.
- The Lady Knights shot an impressive 92.3-percent (12-13) at the foul line, which was a season-best. The last time GU shot above 90-percent was against Slippery Feb. 27, 2013.
- From the floor, the Lady Knights converted on 47.2-percent (25-53) of their attempts. The Lady Knights have shot above 42-percent in four of their last five games.
- The Lady Knights finished the evening with a season-high nine blocks and 20 assists.
- At the glass, the Golden Rams held a 42-34 advantage.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Gannon improved to 4-1 in the all-time series with West Chester. The Lady Knights have won the last four meetings with the Golden Rams. The win marked the first over the Golden Rams at the Hammermill Center.
- The Lady Knights improved to 34-2 in PSAC-crossover action. The Maroon and Gold have strung together 24 consecutive victories against Eastern Division opponents in the regular season. At the Hammermill Center, the Lady Knights improved to 18-1.
- The Lady Knights have won 44 of their last 47 games at the Hammermill Center.
- The Golden Rams are currently receiving votes in the latest USA Today Sports Division II Top 25 Poll.
- Entering the game, the Golden Rams were one of 16 teams to remain undefeated at the NCAA Division II level.
 
UP NEXT
Continuing in PSAC crossover action, Gannon travels to Cheyney Dec. 20. The conference doubleheader is set for 5:30 p.m.