Herster
Joe Mattis

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

Gannon Opens PSAC Action at Shepherd, Shippensburg

GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (3-1, 0-0 PSAC West) at SHEPHERD RAMS (4-1, 0-0 PSAC East)
DATE/TIME: Friday, December 3, 2021 | 7:30 p.m.
ARENA/LOCATION: Butcher Center l Shepherdstown, W.Va.
LIVE VIDEO
LIVE STATS
 
GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (3-1, 0-0 PSAC West) at SHIPPENSBURG RAIDERS (2-2, 0-1 PSAC East)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, December 4, 2021 | 7:30 p.m.
ARENA/LOCATION: Heiges Field House l Shippensburg, 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-SHEPHERD ALL-TIME SERIES
Tied at 3-3
Last Meeting:  Nov. 10, 2018 – at Shepherd 66, Gannon 60  ot I RECAP
Thomas Lang hit a 3-pointer with just under two minutes to play to give shepherd the lead or good. The Rams would outscore Gannon 11-5 in the extra session. Jovante Lee paced the Golden Knights with 20 points, making 4-of-9 3-pointers. Victor Olawoye was also in double figures with 11 points, while Kofi Mills pulled down 10 rebounds. Lang led Shepherd with 22 points. Derek McKnight (14) and Jon Preston (12) were also in double digits.
 
THE GANNON-SHIPPENSBURG ALL-TIME SERIES
Gannon leads 10-2
Last Meeting:  Dec. 18, 2018 – Shippensburg 72, at Gannon 58 I RECAP
No. 25 Shippensburg pulled away from a Gannon from a win in the Hammermill Center. Daryl Porter and DeAnte Cisero paced the Golden Knights with 14 points apiece, while Frank Webb Jr. chipped in with 13. Cyril Ogbuagu led all rebounders with 11. The Raiders had four players in double digits, with John Castello the leading scorer in the game with 16 points. Jake Bliss and Lamar Talley added 14 points, and Antonio Kellem had 12.
 
 
ERIE, Pa. – Fresh off a title in the Gary Miller Classic, the Gannon men's basketball team takes to the highway for the first time looking to improve on its three-game winning streak. The Golden Knights improved to 3-1 with an 86-76 win over Saint Michael's in the championship game after defeating D'Youville, 99-63, the first night.
 
The Golden Knights open PSAC action against two of the top teams in the PSAC East. They play at 4-1 Shepherd on Friday, December 3, with the Rams riding a four-game winning streak. The next night they play at Shippensburg. The Raiders come in at 2-2 but were picked as the preseason favorite in the Eastern Division. Both contests tip off at 7:30 p.m.
 
Gannon has prospered despite facing a difficult early schedule and battling injuries. Head coach Kelvin Jefferson's squad opened the year facing a pair of former league members when Gannon was in the GLIAC. After an 80-76 loss to Ashland in the opener, they recorded an impressive 90-80 win over Saginaw Valley State.
 
Ike Herster (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic), last season's third-leading scorer, has missed the first two games with an injury. Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy) and Alonde LeGrand (Harlem, N.Y./Berkshire) were also not available against Ashland. All three have since returned and played major roles in winning the championship at the Gary Miller Classic.  The Golden Knights are still looking to have their full backcourt available. After falling two assists shy of a triple-double against Ashland, starting point guard Braden Olsen (West Linn, Ore./West Linn) has missed the last three contests with an injury. To make matters worse, Gannon had to play the final ten-minutes plus vs. Saginaw Valley State without last season's leading scorer, Chris Clancy (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's), who took a hard fall and did not return. He missed both games this past weekend.
 
KNIGHTS HIT THE HIGHWAY FOR FIRST TIME
After playing four straight games at the friendly confines of the Hammermill Center, Gannon hits the road for the first time this weekend with the two-game swing east to play at Shepherd and Shippensburg. That's followed by another four-game homestand, with 2022 beginning with a showdown against local rival Mercyhurst on Wednesday, January 5. Gannon then plays five of its next seven contests on the road.
 
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.
 
WELCOME BACK IKE
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. Herster averaged 12.1 ppg. in 2020-21.
 
CHEATHAM LAST WITH 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 ACQUIANTANCES 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. 
 
GOLDEN KNIGHTS GETTING HEALTHIER?
Gannon has found a way to win three of its first four games despite playing short-handed. Redshirt freshman guard Ike Herster (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) miss the first two games before returning for the Gary Miller Classic. He finished third on the team in scoring in 2020-21 at 12.1 ppg. while starting all 14 games. Top transfers Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy) and Alonde LeGrand (Harlem, N.Y./Berkshire) were unavailable for the first game against Ashland. Braden Olsen (West Linn, Ore./West Linn) narrowly missed a triple-double vs. Ashland, but in the process he got banged up and was unable to suit up the last three games. Then his backcourt mate, Chris Clancy (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's), crashed hard to the floor on a drive with just over 10 minutes remaining against Saginaw Valley State. Gannon's top 3-point threat and the leading scorer at 13.5 ppg. last season and has not returned since.
 
PAUL, LEGRAND IMPRESSIVE IN DEBUT
Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy) and Alonde LeGrand (Harlem, N.Y./Berkshire) had to wait one game before starting their careers as Golden Knights. It was well worth the wait. Paul, a 6'0" redshirt sophomore who transferred from Frank Phillips College, started in place of injured Braden Olsen (West Linn, Ore./West Linn) and took over in the second half against Saginaw Valley State. He finished with a game-high 28 points, adding nine rebounds and five assists while making 10-of-16 field goals and 6-of-9 free throws. LeGrand, a 6'7" graduate student who came in from North Florida, bounced off the bench to contribute 14 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes. He drained three big 3-pointers.
 
JONAITIS TAKES ADVANTAGE OF EXTENDED PT
Gannon's injury issues have forced a number of players to step up. No player has taken advantage of the extra playing time more than Robertas Jonaitis (Pakruojis, Lithuania/Greater Beckley Christian School). A 6'5" redshirt freshman, he is averaging 11.8 ppg. and 3.8 rpg. while averaging 21.5 minutes. He is shooting 66.7 percent from the floor (16-of-24) and is tied for second on the team with six steals. Jonaitis has had numerous dunks in the first four games.
 
GU STRONG IN THE POST
The Golden Knights have several options in the post, all bringing different skills. Kevin Dodds (Downingtown, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) has started all four games and is known for his rebounding and defense. The 6'7" redshirt junior is averaging 3.8 ppg. but 5.8 rpg. He turned in a strong effort defensively against Saint Michael's Patrick Gardner after the 6'10" center had scored 33 points the opening night. Alonde LeGrand (Harlem, N.Y./Berkshire) is 6'7" graduate student in his first year with the Golden Knights after transferring from North Florida. He has the ability to step outside and hit the three, and is averaging 12.3 ppg. and 7.7 rpg. LeGrand had his first double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds vs. Saint Michael's. Donovan Forte (Cleveland, Ohio/Garfield Heights) is another option. Like Dodds, Forte is a banger in the middle at 6'6", 250 lbs. He is averaging 10.7 ppg. In waiting is Ali Ragab (Cairo, Egypt/Rocktop Academy), a 7'0" freshman who blocked five shots against D'Youville.   
 
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. Shippensburg is the Eastern Division favorite, receiving seven of nine first place votes. Shepherd was picked to finish sixth.
 
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 SHEPHERD
The Rams open PSAC play with a 4-1 record and riding a four-game winning streak. After a 57-56 overtime loss to Fayetteville State, head coach Justin Namolik's team won in overtime over Bowie State (88-81), then defeated Frostburg State (76-64), Lincoln (78-74), and this past Sunday, won a 61-39 decision over West Virginia Wesleyan. Shepherd ranks second in the PSAC in scoring defense at 63.0 ppg. Dan McClain-Corley paces an offense that averages 71.8 ppg. with 19.6 ppg. The 6'5" sophomore guard adds 4.0 rpg., stands second on the team in assists (17), and has made a team-high 12 3-pointers in 27 attempts. Two other players are also scoring in double digits. Cam Stephens, a 6'4" senior guard, adds 13.8 ppg. and 5.0 rpg. He is shooting 66.7 percent from the floor (22-of-33), including making 12-of-20 3-pointers, and has a team-high 22 assists. Kyle Daggett contributes 11.8 ppg. The 6'6" senior forward is second on the team in rebounding (7.6 rpg.) and is shooting 55.8 percent from the floor (24-of-43). Junior Jon Preston, a 6'3" guard, is the team's top rebounder at 8.2 per game while averaging 9.6 ppg.
 
SCOUTING SHIPPENSBURG
PSAC East preseason favorite Shippensburg is off to a 2-2 start prior to hosting Mercyhurst on Friday night. The Raiders are playing for the first time since dropping a 70-67 decision to Cal U on November 23 in their first PSAC contest. Shipp showcases three players scoring in double figures, led by Carlos Carter at 17.8 ppg. The 6'5" junior comes off back-to-back 20-point efforts. He adds 6.3 rpg. while making 10-of-25 3-pointers and ranking second in assists with 11. Rashon Johnson, a 6'5" redshirt junior, contributes 14.5 ppg. and a team-high 8.0 rpg. Luke Nedrow and Dom Sleva each pull down 7.8 rpg., with Nedrow at 13.8 ppg. and Sleva 9.3 ppg. Head coach Chris Fite in his ninth season and was the 2019-20 PSAC East Coach of the Year after leading the Raiders to a 24-7 finish and runner-up showing in the PSAC Championship. 
 
NEXT FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Gannon will take a break for final exams before returning to play on Tuesday, December 14, hosting Lock Haven in a PSAC crossover contest at 7:30 p.m. at the Hammermill Center. The games marks the start of a four-game homestand.
 
 
 
 
Print Friendly Version

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
Donovan Forte

#14 Donovan Forte

F
6' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
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
Lance-Amir Paul

#40 Lance-Amir Paul

G
6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
Ali Ragab

#55 Ali Ragab

C
7' 0"
Freshman

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
Donovan Forte

#14 Donovan Forte

6' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
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
Lance-Amir Paul

#40 Lance-Amir Paul

6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Ali Ragab

#55 Ali Ragab

7' 0"
Freshman
C