WBB Game Preview IUP 1040x580 020719

Women's Basketball Josh Hill, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

PREVIEW: Lady Knights Look to Refocus Against #4/6 IUP on Saturday (Video/Game Notes)

 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAMEDAY CENTRAL
 Game 24: Gannon (11-12, 7-8 PSAC) vs. #4/6 IUP (19-1, 14-1 PSAC)
 Game Details  Saturday, February 9 | 1:00 PM |
 Hammermill Center | Erie, Pa. (Directions)
 Game Coverage  Live Video – Gannon Stretch Portal
 Radio – 90.5 WERG FM (Erie)
 Live Audio Stream – Click Here
 Live Stats – Click Here
 Twitter Updates - @GUKnights
 Tickets  Game Promotion: Make-A-Wish Game
 Moe's Promotional Day
 Gannon Competitive Cheer/Dance Exhibition
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 Adults ($5)
 Non-Gannon Students and Senior Citizens ($3)
 Gannon Students, Faculty and Staff (FREE)
 Season Ticket Information – Click Here
 Gannon Links  Game Notes (PDF) | Roster | Schedule | Stats
 IUP Links  Game Notes (PDF) | Roster | Schedule | Stats
 


 

GAME PROMOTIONS
  • Bring Hawaii to the Hammermill Center: Help make a young girl's dream come true and bring the island vibes of Hawaii to the Hammermill Center. For full details, click here.
  • Competitive Cheer and Dance Exhibition: See the Gannon competitive cheerleading and dance teams perform during the halftime of the women's game as the teams get into the bulk of their 2019 season.
  • Moe's Promotional Night: Free chips and queso to the first 100 people in attendance at each game

JIM BRUNELLI WEEKLY RADIO SHOW
  • Hosted by Alex Womer: Click Here (or watch above) 
  • Courtesy Fox Sports Radio 1330 AM The Fan - Erie, Pa. (previously recorded)
 
IUP BROADCAST INFORMATION:
  • Gannon Combined Stats (PDF): Click Here
  • Game Program: Click Here
  • IUP Game Preview: Click Here
  • Live Video: PSAC Digital Network (Gannon Stretch Portal)
    • Broadcaster: Brett Pryor
  • Live Audio: 90.5 WERG FM (Erie)
    • Broadcaster: Brett Pryor
 
AROUND THE LEAGUE:  
IUP SERIES INFORMATION:
  • All-Time Series: IUP leads 24-16
  • First Meeting: 1979-80 – at Indiana (Pa.) 77, Gannon 56
  • Last Meeting: January 2, 2019: at IUP 66, Gannon 40 | Box Score
  • How It Happened: Turnovers plagued the Gannon Lady Knights in a 66-40 loss against then second-ranked IUP to open up the 2019 calendar year. While the teams went back-and-forth in the opening portions of the first half, the Crimson Hawks answered a quick second quarter run by Gannon with a 13-0 scoring surge of its own to take a 32-19 lead with 1:30 remaining in the first half. The Lady Knights struggled to find any kind of offense in the second half, shooting just 20% from the floor in the third and fourth quarters.
 
GANNON STORYLINES/NOTES:
  • Gannon (11-12, 7-8 PSAC) begins arguably its toughest three-game stretch of the season this Saturday against fourth-ranked IUP. After Saturday, the Lady Knights continue to run the PSAC West gauntlet, hitting the road to face second-place California (Pa.) on February 13 before returning home to square off with third-place Edinboro on February 16.
  • The Lady Knights could not overcome a big fourth quarter in an 83-69 loss to the Seton Hill Griffins last time out on Wednesday.
  • Junior G Chelsea Rourke (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) recorded a career-high 21 points against SHU along with nine rebounds. She is second on the team in scoring with 12.9 points/game and leads the team with 35 blocks.
  • Junior G/F Haley Tewes (Waterford, Mich./Waterford Kettering) was one of several Lady Knights who provided a big performance off the bench last time out with eight points and five assists. Tewes has played at least 10 minutes in three of the last four games for Gannon.
  • Freshman G/F Tori Obenrader (Fryburg, Pa./North Clarion) dropped in 13 points against Seton Hill, marking her first double digit scoring game since January 9 against Pitt-Johnstown. Obenrader, who also pulled down seven boards, leads the team with 145 total rebounds this season.
  • Senior F Nicole LaCava (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) had a streak of nine straight double figure scoring games snapped on Wednesday against Seton Hill. With conference foes continuing to make LaCava a focal point of their game-plan, she will look to maintain her efficient 63.5% shooting effort from the floor.
  • Sophomore G Sydney Mitchell (Halethorpe, Md./Seton Keough) has played an increased role for Gannon in scoring the basketball, averaging 10.0 points/game over the last five contests.
  • Gannon (+5.7) and IUP (+9.1) are the top two teams in the PSAC in rebounding margin and defensive rebounding in 2018-19.  
 
SCOUTING IUP:
  • Perhaps the most consistent team in the region this season, IUP opened the 2018-19 season with 15 consecutive victories before losing its only game against California (Pa.) on January 23.
  • With an 88-51 win over Slippery Rock last Wednesday, the Crimson Hawks clinched a berth in the upcoming PSAC Tournament for the 14th consecutive season. IUP has made the conference tournament in each season under current head coach Tom McConnell, who is five victories shy of becoming the program's all-time winningest coach.  
  • The veteran team relies on several players with multiple years of starting experience, including senior G Carolyn Appleby (17.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG) and senior F Brittany Robinson (11.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG).
  • Since making her return from injury against the Lady Knights on January 2, senior G Lauren Wolosik – a transfer from Central Connecticut State – has been stellar for the Crimson Hawks. She is averaging 12.6 points/game and leads the team with 99 assists in 2018-19.
  • Natalie Myers notched a career-high 17 points in the victory over SRU.
  • IUP is strong on both ends of the floor, averaging 80.6 points/game while allowing 52.2. The Crimson Hawks are outscoring opponents by an average of 28.4 points/game.
  • IUP was one game shy of last year's national championship, losing to eventual national champion Ashland in the 2018 NCAA DII Final Four.
  • The Crimson Hawks are 8-0 on the road this season and have not lost a regular season contest away from home since January 27, 2018 to nearby Mercyhurst.
 
UP NEXT:
  • Gannon continues its tough stretch against postseason-caliber teams in the PSAC, traveling to face California (Pa.) on Wednesday, February 13 at 5:30 PM.
 



 
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Players Mentioned

Nicole LaCava

#31 Nicole LaCava

C/F
6' 0"
Senior
Physician Assistant
Sydney Mitchell

#23 Sydney Mitchell

G
5' 11"
Sophomore
Nursing
Chelsea Rourke

#13 Chelsea Rourke

G/F
5' 10"
Junior
Nursing
Haley Tewes

#50 Haley Tewes

G
5' 11"
Junior
Digital Media
Tori Obenrader

#25 Tori Obenrader

G/F
5' 11"
Freshman
Sport and Exercise Science/Pre-Med

Players Mentioned

Nicole LaCava

#31 Nicole LaCava

6' 0"
Senior
Physician Assistant
C/F
Sydney Mitchell

#23 Sydney Mitchell

5' 11"
Sophomore
Nursing
G
Chelsea Rourke

#13 Chelsea Rourke

5' 10"
Junior
Nursing
G/F
Haley Tewes

#50 Haley Tewes

5' 11"
Junior
Digital Media
G
Tori Obenrader

#25 Tori Obenrader

5' 11"
Freshman
Sport and Exercise Science/Pre-Med
G/F