Demetrius Mims
Matt Durisko

Men's Basketball Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Golden Knights Wrap Up 2021 Hosting Mansfield, Bloomsburg

MANSFIELD MOUNTAINEERS (1-8, 0-3 PSAC East) at GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (5-2, 2-1 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, December 18, 2021 | 3:00 p.m.
ARENA/LOCATION: Hammermill Center l Erie, Pa.
LIVE VIDEO
LIVE STATS
 
BLOOMSBURG HUSKIES (2-5, 1-2 PSAC East) at GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (5-2, 2-1 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, December 19, 2021 | 3:00 p.m.
ARENA/LOCATION: Hammermill Center l Erie, Pa.
LIVE VIDEO
LIVE STATS
 
RADIO:  Gannon basketball fans can catch all of the exciting action of Golden Knights' basketball on 90.5 WERG FM. Jack Quinn and Sean Amicucci will serve as announcers for the games.
 
THE GANNON-MANSFIELD ALL-TIME SERIES
Gannon leads 13-6
Last Meeting:  Dec. 20, 2019 – Gannon 74, at Mansfield 67 I RECAP
The Golden Knights made it seven wins in a row, and 12 wins in the last 13 meetings over Mansfield, with the road win. Gannon is 9-3 all-time vs. the Mountaineers at the Hammermill Center, including wins in the last four meetings. In the 2019 tilt, Chris Clancy (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's) poured in 22 points to lead three players in double figures. Clancy made 6-of-9 3-pointers. Frank Webb Jr. added 11 points and DeAnte Cisero 10 points and eight rebounds. Trevor English and Christian Simmons led Mansfield with 16 points apiece.
 
THE GANNON-BLOOMSBURG ALL-TIME SERIES
Gannon leads 11-3
Last Meeting:  Dec. 21, 2019 – Gannon 89, at Bloomsburg 84 I RECAP
The Golden Knights won the first nine meetings in the all-time series, but Bloomsburg has had the upper hand in three of the last five meetings. The last contest took place in 2019, with Gannon relying on clutch shooting in the final seconds to hold off the Huskies. The Golden Knights maintained a double-digit lead for much of the second half, with the lead at 16 points on several occasions. Bloomsburg would close to 83-82 in the final minute, but the Golden Knights made four-of-six free throws in the final 17 seconds. Chris Clancy (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's) led GU with 17 points, one of four players in double figures. Kevin Dodds (Downingtown, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) scored 14 points, with DeAnte Cisero and Matt Johnson contributing 12 points apiece. Sam Saxton led four Huskies in double figures with a game-high 23 points.   
 
 
ERIE, Pa. – A finally healthy Gannon squad wraps up the 2021 portion of its schedule this weekend with a pair of PSAC crossover contests. The Golden Knights host Mansfield on Saturday, December 18, and the next day Bloomsburg visits the Hammermill Center. Tipoff both days is at 3:00 p.m.
 
With Chris Clancy (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's) returning on Tuesday after missing four straight games, the Golden Knights finally have their rotation in place. Freshmen Jordan Martin (Columbia, S.C./Cardinal Newman) and Thomas Whitley (Laurel, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) remain on the injured list. Gannon improved to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in PSAC action with a hard-fought 77-71 win over Lock Haven. It was a foul-infested contest that featured 49 fouls. Gannon would lead for most of the game, but the Bald Eagles pulled to within 70-68 with just under three minutes to play. Robertas Jonaitis (Pakruojis, Lithuania/Greater Beckley Christian School) scored a pair of baskets for a 74-68 advantage. After Lock Haven closed to 74-71, Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy) took over. The redshirt sophomore guard was fouled with the shot clock winding down and hit one-of-two at the charity stripe. He then stepped in front of a LHU pass, stole the ball and drove to the basket for a clinching layup with seven seconds remaining.
 
The Golden Knights are in the midst of a four-game homestand that concludes with the first game of the New Year when crosstown-rival Mercyhurst visits the Hammermill Center on January 5. While Gannon is playing three games in six days, Bloomsburg will be playing on Sunday for the third time in four days. The Huskies played at Edinboro on Thursday night, capturing a 68-65 win. They stay in Erie County to play at Mercyhurst on Saturday and Gannon on Sunday. The Huskies come in at 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the PSAC.
 
First though, the Golden Knights must overcome a Mansfield squad that is 1-8 and looking to snap a three-game losing streak.
 
For head coach Kelvin Jefferson, he received an early Christmas present with the return of Clancy. The Golden Knights welcomed back Braden OIsen at Shepherd after the point guard had missed the previous three games. Ike Herster (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic), Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy), and Alonde LeGrand (Harlem, N.Y./Berkshire) have also missed games.
 
GANNON IN THE PSAC STATS
Scoring Offense – 80.3 (9th)
Scoring Defense – 71.7 (7th)
Field Goal Pct. -- .470 (8th)
Field Goal Pct. Defense -- .412 (8th)
3 FGM per Game – 5.9 (15th)
Rebound Margin -- +6.9 (5th)
Turnover Margin -- +1.29 (5th)
 
CLANCY BACK AFTER FOUR-GAME ABSENCE
The rust was a bit apparent in his signature 3-point shot, but Gannon welcomed back Chris Clancy (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's) on Tuesday against Lock Haven. The redshirt sophomore guard had missed the previous four games with an injury. He would play 21 minutes and score six points courtesy of a pair of 3-pointers. Clancy was Gannon's leading scorer a year ago at 13.5 ppg. and is one of the top 3-point threats in the PSAC. He made 47-of-103 triples in 14 games in 2020-21.   
 
JONAITIS, PAUL HELP HOLD OFF LOCK HAVEN IN FOUL-PLAGUED CONTEST
Gannon led for much of the Lock Haven game, holding a 43-34 advantage at halftime.  The lead would grow to the largest of the night at 55-42 with 14:36 remaining courtesy of a 12-5 run that featured six points from Ike Herster (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) and four by Braden Olsen (West Linn, Ore./West Linn). But the Bald Eagles chipped away at the deficit and eventually closed to within two points at 70-68 with just under three minutes to play. The Knights were up to the challenge. Robertas Jonaitis (Pakruojis, Lithuania/Greater Beckley Christian School) scored a pair of baskets to give the Golden Knights a 74-68 advantage. The first came on a rebound basket with 2:23 to play, and that was followed by layup off a beautiful feed by Herster with 1:17 remaining. Lock Haven cut the lead in half at 74-71. Paul took over from there. The redshirt sophomore guard was fouled with the shot clock winding down and hit one-of-two at the charity stripe. He then stepped in front of a LHU pass, stole the ball and drove to the basket for a layup with seven seconds remaining. He would even pull down the final rebound of the game after a Lock Haven miss as time ran out.
 
LEGRAND IS GRAND AT SHIP
Alonde LeGrand (Harlem, N.Y./Berkshire) recorded his second double-double of the season at Shippensburg. The 6'7" graduate student scored 18 points and pulled down 13 rebounds, both season highs. He made 6-of-12 field goals, including 2-of-5 3-pointers, after missing all six of his shots the night before at Shepherd. A transfer from North Florida, he is averaging 9.2 ppg. and is tied for the team lead with 8.2 rpg.
 
OLSEN RETURNS ON EASTERN SWING
Gannon welcomed back Braden Olsen (West Linn, Ore./West Linn) in the eastern swing to West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Olsen contributed 13 points in 25 minutes at Shepherd, and added 10 markers in 21 minutes at Shippensburg. Add in 17 points vs. Lock Haven, and he has scored 40 points in the three games since his return.
 
THE TALL AND THE SHORT OF IT
Alonde LeGrand (Harlem, N.Y./Berkshire) and Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy) rank one-two in rebounding at 8.2 rpg. and 8.0 rpg., respectively. LeGrand is a 6'7" swingman, while Paul is a 6'0" guard. LeGrand has had a pair of double-digit rebound games with 13 vs. Shippensburg and 11 against Saint Michael's. Paul had a season-high 10 rebounds at Shepherd, adding 21 points. The transfer from Frank Phillips College has had at least seven rebounds in the first five games he has played in, and finished with six against Lock Haven. He has scored in double digits in each game.  Demetrius Mims (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Polytechnic Institute) pulled down a season-high 11 rebounds vs. Lock Haven to increase his average to 7.0 per game.
 
IKE HITTING HIS STRIDE
Ike Herster (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) was a welcome addition to the Gannon lineup after missing the first two games with an injury. The 6'6" redshirt freshman came off the bench in the opening win over D'Youville to lead Gannon with 19 points, making 4-of-11 3-pointers. He was back in the starting lineup the next night and contributed 16 points against Saint Michael's. He has scored in double figures in all five games he has played in, including a season-high 20 point-effort at Shippensburg. Herster is averaging 17.2 ppg. after averaging 12.1 ppg. in 2020-21.
 
GANNON CLAIMS GARY MILLER CLASSIC CROWN FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2017
Thanks to an 86-76 win over Saint Michael's in the championship game, Gannon won its first tournament title since 2017 and the 19th overall. It was also the first under head coach Kelvin Jefferson. The Golden Knights have now reached the title game six straight years.
 
MIMS NAMED MVP, PAUL JOINS HIM ON ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Demetrius Mims (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Polytechnic Institute) was named the MVP of the 37th Annual Gary Miller Classic after scoring a season-high 29 points in the 86-76 win over Saint Michael's in the championship game. The 6'6" transfer from Towson added nine rebounds, three steals, and a blocked shot. He made 14-of-26 field goals on a variety of mid-range jumpers and drives to the basket, many times challenging 6'10" Patrick Gardner. He also had one rim-shattering dunk after driving through several Purple Knights while going three-quarters of the court. Mims was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy). The 6'0" guard, a transfer from Frank Phillips College, had 13 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists while playing all 40 minutes vs. Saint Michael's.
 
CHEATHAM LAST TO PRODUCE TRIPLE-DOUBLE
Gannon has had two players challenge a triple-double in the opening four games. Both were by Gannon point guards. In the season opener, Braden Olsen (West Linn, Ore./West Linn) finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy) nearly duplicated the fete vs. Saint Michael's with 13 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. Javar Cheatham is the last Golden Knight to produce a triple-double. Another point guard, he had 20 points, 14 assists, and had 10 rebounds on January 18, 2001 in Gannon's 89-80 home win over Ferris State.
 
RENEWING ACQUAINTANCES WITH OLD CONFERENCE FOES
Gannon's early-season schedule has had an interesting twist to it. Three of the first four opponents have come against teams that Gannon faced as a member of another conference. The first two opponents, Ashland and Saginaw Valley State, were members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while Gannon and Saint Michael's both belonged to the Mideast Collegiate Conference in the 1990's. 
 
GANNON PICKED FIFTH IN PSAC PRESEASON POLL
Gannon was picked to finish fifth in the PSAC West in the Coaches' Preseason Poll. Indiana(Pa.) is the preseason favorite and received seven of the nine first place votes. Mercyhurst was second in the poll, with Pitt-Johnstown third. UPJ received the other two first place votes. Cal U was fourth.  Gannon played a COVID-shortened schedule during the spring of 2021 and went 10-4 overall. The Golden Knights made several appearances in the NABC Division II national rankings a season ago, climbing as high as No. 21 in the country. Mansfield was picked to finish ninth in the Eastern Division preseason poll, with Bloomsburg one spot ahead in eighth place.
 
KNIGHTS PLAY DIVISION I PITTSBURGH, OLD DOMINION IN EXHIBITION GAMES
Gannon played a pair of exhibition games against Division I opponents in early November. While losing both, the contests were much closer than the final score indicated. On Nov. 1, the Golden Knights dropped an 89-64 decision at Pittsburgh. They trailed 49-41 with just over 13 minutes remaining before the Panthers went on an 11-0 run. Another string of 11 consecutive points doomed the Golden Knights at Old Dominion on Nov. 6. Gannon trailed 41-33 at the half but ODU scored the first 11 points after intermission and won 96-56. Ike Herster (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) paced the Golden Knights with 11 points, while Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy) was also in double figures with 10 points. Three players scored in double digits at ODU, with Herster again leading the way with 18 markers. Braden Olsen (West Linn, Ore./West Linn) chipped in with 16 points and Paul had 10.  
 
SCOUTING MANSFIELD
Mansfield is 1-8 overall and in the PSAC after a 92-63 loss to third-ranked Mercyhurst on Tuesday. The Marauders opened the season with five straight losses before an 81-61 win over Mercy. They have since dropped their last three games, including a 101-97 two overtime loss to Edinboro. Justice Smith, a 6'6" redshirt freshman, is one of two Mountaineers scoring in double figures. He averages 15.8 ppg. and 6.4 rpg., with 29 assists and 15 steals. Eli Alvin, a 5'10" senior, adds 11.8 ppg. and is shooting 50.7 percent from the floor. Jaz Farrell falls just below double digits at 9.9 ppg. after scoring 15 points at Mercyhurst. Six-foot-eight freshman Scott Woodring is the top rebounder at 6.6 rpg. for head coach John Szentesy. Mansfield averages 77.1 ppg., but allows 86.8 ppg., last in the PSAC.
 
SCOUTING BLOOMSBURG
The Huskies picked up their second win of the season with a 68-65 win at Edinboro as they began a stretch of three games in four days in northwest Pennsylvania. Justin Anderson hit the game-winning shot with five seconds remaining, and Justin Rodriguez hot one-of-two free throws with two seconds left. That left the Huskies with a 2-5 record and 1-2 in the PSAC for long-time head coach John Sanow, a one-time assistant at Gannon. The Huskies play at Mercyhurst on Saturday. Anderson, a 6'3" junior, is averaging 19.7 ppg., fourth in the PSAC, and 5.0 rpg. He set a freshman scoring record with 478 points. Anderson is one of four Huskies in double figures, with Travis Elmore, a 6'6" senior, next at 11.3 ppg. Jake Nelson, a 6'7" junior, contributes 10.0 ppg. and a team-leading 9.6 rpg. The latter figure is third in the PSAC.
 
NEXT FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS
The Mansfield and Bloomsburg games wrap up the 2021 portion of Gannon's schedule. The Golden Knights will return after the New Year with the first of two meetings against local rival Mercyhurst. The Lakers are currently ranked third in the NABC Division II Top 25. That contest is set for Wednesday, January 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hammermill Center.
 
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Players Mentioned

Chris Clancy

#5 Chris Clancy

SG
6' 2"
Sophomore
Kevin Dodds

#10 Kevin Dodds

F
6' 7"
Junior
Braden Olsen

#1 Braden Olsen

PG
6' 0"
Junior
Robertas Jonaitis

#24 Robertas Jonaitis

G
6' 5"
Freshman
Ike Herster

#3 Ike Herster

G
6' 6"
Freshman
Demetrius Mims

#1 Demetrius Mims

F
6' 6"
Redshirt Sophomore
Alonde LeGrand

#15 Alonde LeGrand

G/F
6' 7"
Graduate Student
Thomas Whitley

#22 Thomas Whitley

F
6' 6"
Freshman
Jordan Martin

#25 Jordan Martin

G
6' 1"
Freshman
Lance-Amir Paul

#40 Lance-Amir Paul

G
6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Chris Clancy

#5 Chris Clancy

6' 2"
Sophomore
SG
Kevin Dodds

#10 Kevin Dodds

6' 7"
Junior
F
Braden Olsen

#1 Braden Olsen

6' 0"
Junior
PG
Robertas Jonaitis

#24 Robertas Jonaitis

6' 5"
Freshman
G
Ike Herster

#3 Ike Herster

6' 6"
Freshman
G
Demetrius Mims

#1 Demetrius Mims

6' 6"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
Alonde LeGrand

#15 Alonde LeGrand

6' 7"
Graduate Student
G/F
Thomas Whitley

#22 Thomas Whitley

6' 6"
Freshman
F
Jordan Martin

#25 Jordan Martin

6' 1"
Freshman
G
Lance-Amir Paul

#40 Lance-Amir Paul

6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
G