LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Gannon University women's basketball team ended its 11-day Christmas break by claiming its fifth consecutive win on Friday evening in a victory over Lock Haven.

Redshirt senior forward Sam Pirosko continued her red-hot play with game highs of 19 points and seven rebounds as the Golden Knights claimed a 60-44 victory over the Bald Eagles in a PSAC crossover game at Thomas Fieldhouse.

Gannon, ranked No. 23 in NCAA Division II, improved to 11-2 overall and 3-2 in the PSAC. The first four victories in their current, five-game winning streak came during a four-game homestand at Highmark Events Center.

Friday's win over Lock Haven was important because it was Gannon's first road win in the PSAC. Coach Cleve Wright's Golden Knights had suffered their only two losses of the season on the road on back-to-back nights against Kutztown and West Chester in PSAC crossover games on Dec. 2-3.

Gannon led 33-19 at the half, and Lock Haven never drew closer than nine points in the second half. GU turned in another strong defensive effort, limiting LHU to 28.6 percent shooting (16-of-56) from the field.

Pirosko still rolling for GU

Pirosko again was a key player for Gannon with another efficient game. She used a series of post moves to shoot 7-of-12 from the field. She also sank 5-of-6 free-throw attempts.

Her seven rebounds on Friday also helped Gannon outrebound Lock Haven 35-29.

In the week before Gannon's layoff, Pirosko averaged 24.7 points per game in three contests while leading the Knights to three consecutive homecourt victories. As a result of her efforts, she was named PSAC West Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week.

Guards have big night

While Pirosko was working on the inside, Gannon's guards were excelling on the perimeter.

Point guard Boston McKinney (Bolivar, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) sank a couple of first-half 3-pointers, and her second 3 gave Gannon a 20-6 lead early in the second quarter. The senior had a strong all-around game with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. She went 4-for-4 from the foul line.

She helped Gannon finish at 88 percent (22-of-25) from the free-throw line.

Meanwhile, freshman shooting guard Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) gave Gannon a big boost off the bench with 11 points. She shot 4-of-5 from the field, making her only 3-point attempt, and went 2-for-2 from the foul line.

Senior guard Emma Wright (Fairview, Pa./Talawanda) added nine points.

Return of Poling

Gannon has been playing most of this season with 10 players as several players sat out with injuries.

However, the Golden Knights had a positive development on Friday when senior guard Emily Poling (Defiance, Ohio/Defiance) made her season debut. She has missed the first 12 games with an injury.

Poling played just six minutes on Friday as she eases her way back into the lineup. She did not score, but she did grab two defensive rebounds.

Poling started all 31 games for Gannon in 2021-22 and led the Knights with 105 assists and 57 steals. She averaged 6.5 points per game.

Up next

Gannon will prepare for another road game on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Slippery Rock as the Golden Knights open their PSAC Western Division schedule. Their first five PSAC games have been crossover games against Eastern Division teams.

The Rock has an 8-3 overall record and 3-2 PSAC mark.