Evan Phoenix
Matt Mead Photography LLC
Junior Evan Phoenix recorded his eighth double-double of the season and 16th double-dip in two seasons.
62
Pitt-Johnstown UPJ-M 10-9, 8-7 PSAC
72
Winner Gannon University GAN-M 14-6, 10-4 PSAC
Pitt-Johnstown UPJ-M
10-9, 8-7 PSAC
62
Final
72
Gannon University GAN-M
14-6, 10-4 PSAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Pitt-Johnstown UPJ-M 37 25 62
Gannon University GAN-M 36 36 72

Next Game:

at Seton Hill University (Pa.)

1/31/2018 | 7:30 PM

Jet Radio 1400

Next Game

Full Schedule
Jan. 31 (Wed) / 7:30 PM
at Seton Hill University (Pa.)

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Dan Teliski, Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations

Gannon Men's Basketball Team Shoots Down UPJ 72-62; Extends Home Win Streak to Nine (Video)

THE RUNDOWN
  • Score: at Gannon 72, Pitt-Johnstown 62
  • Records: Gannon (14-6, 10-4 PSAC), Pitt-Johnstown (10-9, 8-7 PSAC)
  • Location: Erie, Pa. - Hammermill Center (Gary Miller Classic)
  • The Short Story: The Gannon men's basketball team overcame an 11-point first-half deficit by shooting 54 percent for the entire game and posted a 72-62 victory against Pitt-Johnstown Saturday afternoon in the Annual Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame Game at the Hammermill Center. Junior Evan Phoenix (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) recorded his eighth double-double of the season and 16th of his two-year career as a Golden Knight with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • After four ties during the opening eight minutes, Pitt-Johnstown engineered an 11-2 run midway through the first half to forge ahead 27-16.
  • Gannon countered with a 10-2 blitz to claw back within 29-26. Four different Golden Knights scored during the run, led by senior Damon Miraud (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth)'s four points.
  • The home squad cut the deficit to one point twice during the final minute and 42 seconds, before Pitt-Johnstown went into the intermission with a 37-36 advantage.
  • Gannon scored the first four points of the second half to grab a 40-37 lead after a dunk and jumper by Phoenix.
  • Leading 48-47, the Golden Knights expanded its lead to six points with the aid of a jumper from senior Jair Green (Williamstown, N.J./Paul VI) and three-pointer from senior Zay Jackson (Queens, N.Y./Westside).
  • After UPJ cut the deficit to 55-53, Gannon ripped off seven consecutive points to assume a 62-53 edge with 5:45 to play. Redshirt sophomore Frank Webb Jr. (Baltimore, Md./Our Lady of Mount Carmel) started the run with a jumper followed by five straight points from Phoenix.
  • The visitors made one last run, climbing within 66-62 at the 1:38 mark.
  • However, Gannon netted the final six points to ice a 72-62 victory.

GAME NOTES
  • Saturday's contest was part of Gannon's Annual Athletics Hall of Fame Doubleheader.
  • Phoenix led the Gannon scoring attack with his eighth double-double of the season and 16th of his two-year Golden Knight career with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
  • Miraud and Jackson followed with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
  • Sophomore Matt Johnson (Chicago, Ill./Adlai E. Stevenson) finished with five points and six assists compared to one turnover in 22 minutes at point guard.
  • Gannon shot 54.4 percent (31-57) from the field, 50 percent (4-8) from three-point range and 75 percent (6-8) from the free throw line. 
  • Isaac Vescovi led all scorers on both sides with 24 points for Pitt-Johnstown.
  • Dale Clancy and Drew Magestro chipped in 16 and 12 points.
  • Pitt-Johnstown shot 42.1 percent (24-57) from the floor, 34.6 percent (9-26) from behind the arc and 83.3 percent (5-6) from the charity stripe.
  • The Mountain Cats played only six players throughout the game.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
  • The Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018 was honored during halftime.
  • The 2018 inductees included men's golf standout Drew Deimel '12; women's basketball great Cheryl (Hubbard) Taplin '87; football standout Charbel Latouf, Esq. '96; men's soccer great Dag Magnusson '97; wrestling standout Lyneil Mitchell '03, '05M, '07DPT; men's basketball great Josh Morgan '04; women's lacrosse coaching great Jim Nestor and women's water polo standout Tara (Skasik) Quinn '05. Chuck Pora' 68 was inducted as the 2018 Distinguished Service Award recipient.
  • Gannon extended its home win streak to nine games with Saturday's verdict. It represents the program's longest home win streak since having 12 straight victories December 14, 2013-November 19, 2014.
  • The Golden Knights defeated the Mountain Cats for the sixth consecutive time, extending their lead in the all-time series to 23-5.
  • Gannon improved to 15-4 all-time against the Mountain Cats at the Hammermill Center.
  • The Golden Knights out-rebounded their opponent for the 18th time in 20 games.
  • Gannon has held its opponent under 70 points for the 18th time in 20 contests.
  • Pitt-Johnstown entered the contest with a 79.5 scoring average, but was held 17.5 points below its norm.
  • Jackson moved past Marc Sturdivant (2001-03) and into seventh place all-time at Gannon with 132 career three-pointers despite playing only two seasons in a Golden Knight uniform. 
  • Gannon shot 50 percent or better for the seventh time this season.
  • The Golden Knights out-rebounded their opponent by double digits for the ninth time this year.
  • Gannon won for the third time this season when trailing at halftime.
  • The Golden Knights improved to 13-2 when at least three players reach double-digits in scoring and 11-1 when scoring at least 70 points.

UP NEXT
  • Gannon begins a two-game road swing Wednesday, January 31 at Seton Hill.
  • Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
  • Gannon attempts to complete its first season sweep of Seton Hill since the 2014-15 campaign after posting a 75-60 victory at the Hammermill Center on January 8.
  • The Golden Knights hold a slim 7-6 edge in the all-time series, including a 5-4 mark since the Griffins joined the PSAC in 2013.
  • Gannon has dropped its last two decisions at Seton Hill's McKenna Center where the Golden Knights are 1-3 all-time. 
  • The Gannon-Seton Hill contest can be heard live on Jet Radio 1400 and via the 90.5 WERG online stream at www.wergfm.com.
  • Outlets to follow the game include a live video broadcast (http://www.westmorelandsports.com/broadcast) and live gameday statistics (https://portal.stretchinternet.com/shu).
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Players Mentioned

Jair Green

#21 Jair Green

G
6' 4"
Senior
Interdisciplinary Studies
Zay Jackson

#3 Zay Jackson

G
6' 0"
Senior
Criminal Justice
Damon Miraud

#23 Damon Miraud

G/F
6' 5"
Senior
Criminal Justice
Evan Phoenix

#2 Evan Phoenix

F
6' 9"
Junior
Marketing
Matt Johnson

#12 Matt Johnson

G
5' 11"
Sophomore
Sport and Exercise Science
Frank Webb Jr.

#1 Frank Webb Jr.

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Criminal Justice

Players Mentioned

Jair Green

#21 Jair Green

6' 4"
Senior
Interdisciplinary Studies
G
Zay Jackson

#3 Zay Jackson

6' 0"
Senior
Criminal Justice
G
Damon Miraud

#23 Damon Miraud

6' 5"
Senior
Criminal Justice
G/F
Evan Phoenix

#2 Evan Phoenix

6' 9"
Junior
Marketing
F
Matt Johnson

#12 Matt Johnson

5' 11"
Sophomore
Sport and Exercise Science
G
Frank Webb Jr.

#1 Frank Webb Jr.

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Criminal Justice
G