Emma Wright drives against Findlay
Bryce Dolak
57
Findlay UF 3-5,0-2 G-MAC
65
Winner Gannon Gannon 7-2,0-2 PSAC
Findlay UF
3-5,0-2 G-MAC
57
Final
65
Gannon Gannon
7-2,0-2 PSAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Findlay UF 10 15 17 15 57
Gannon Gannon 15 19 19 12 65

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Late Run Foils Findlay Comeback as Gannon Prevails 65-57

ERIE, Pa. – Gannon withstood a furious rally by Findlay to hand the visiting Oilers a 65-57 defeat on Thursday evening at the Highmark Events Center. The victory averted what could have been a rare third straight loss for the Golden Knights as they improved to 7-2. Findlay is a deceiving 3-5 and has now lost three straight games. The only lost to the top two teams in Division II.

Gannon entered the fourth quarter with a seemingly safe 53-40 advantage but ended up needing a 9-2 run to close out the win. After trailing the entire game the Oilers scored the first 13 points of the final period to pull even at 53-53 as the Golden Knights went over five minutes without a point.

The Golden Knights never would trail thanks to same late-game heroics from Sam Pirosko and Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster). Pirosko scored on an inbounds pass from Boston McKinney (Bolivar, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) and was fouled, with McKinney picking up her ninth assist of the night. Pirosko's ensuing free throw with 4:27 remaining gave the Golden Knights a 56-53 lead.

Findlay came down and scored on a layup to cut the lead to one, but Pirosko pulled down an offensive rebound and scored on a layup for a 58-55 advantage with 3:25 left to play. The lead grew to 60-55 with 1:22 remaining with Pirosko again playing a key role. The fifth-year senior missed on a 3-pointer from the top of the key, but
hustled after her own miss and fed Emma Wright (Fairview, Pa./Talawanda) for a short jumper.

With a minute to play Findlay scored again to close the gap to 60-57 and forced a turnover. Now it was time for Claxon to step up. The freshman came up with a steal, scored on a layup and was fouled with 35 seconds to play. She dropped in the free throw for a 63-57 advantage. She closed out the win with a layup following another turnover with 23 seconds to play. Findlay would turn the ball after that as the Oilers last three possessions resulted in turnovers.

Gannon showcased three players in double figures, led by Wright's season-high 21 points. The graduate student made 7-of-16 shots, matching her career high with five 3-pointers in eight attempts. She enjoyed a big third quarter with 11 points, making all three of her 3-points attempts.

Pirosko came into the game needing 24 points to become the 31st Golden Knight with 1,000 career points. She was hounded all night be the Oilers but still managed her second double-double of the season with 14 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. Of her eight shot attempts, five came from beyond the arc. Pirosko now sits at 990 career points.

Claxon broke out of a slight slump and contributed a season-high 14 points in 18 minutes. The highly-touted first-year guard had scored just two points and made 1-of-8 field goals in the two weekend losses. On Thursday she made good on 5-of-7 field goals, including 3-of-4 3-pointers.

Delaney Dogan (West Middlesex, Pa./West Middlesex) added seven rebounds for Gannon as the Golden Knights controlled the boards 34-25. She added three assists, two blocks and two steals. In addition to her nine assists, McKinney had a pair of steals.

Gannon shot 46.0 percent (23-of-50) from the floor, making a season-high 11 3-pointers in 28 attempts. The Golden Knights were a perfect 8-for-8 at the line with Pirosko making all five of her attempts. Findlay shot 42.6 percent (23-of-54) from the floor, making 5-of-11 3-pointers, and was 6-of-7 at the line. Gannon committed 21 turnovers and the Oilers 15.

Serena Sammarone came off the bench to lead Findlay with 12 points, adding five assists. Kate Ellis added 10 points.

The Findlay game was the first of four straight home games for the Golden Knights. They return to action next Wednesday, December 14 hosting Mansfield in a non-conference game. Tipoff at Highmark Events Center is 6:00 p.m.  
 
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