ERIE, Pa. – Strong defense has become a common theme during the Gannon University women's basketball team's long winning streak and outstanding first half of the 2022-23 season.

The No. 11-ranked Golden Knights clamped down defensively and used a balanced scoring attack to easily beat crosstown rival Mercyhurst 68-41 in a PSAC West game Saturday night at Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

Coach Cleve Wright's Golden Knights recorded their 11th straight victory to move to 17-2 overall. Gannon remained in first place in the PSAC West with a 9-2 mark, winning their ninth conference game in a row.

Gannon's intense defensive effort limited Mercyhurst to just 28 percent shooting (14-of-50) in the game and just 11.1 percent (2-of-18) from 3-point range.

It was the lowest point total that Gannon's women had held Mercyhurst to since 1988 during their longtime rivalry.

Meanwhile, GU shot 45 percent (27-of-60) from the field. The Knights also hit the boards hard, outrebounding the Lakers 44-27, including a 12-6 edge in offensive rebounds.

Gannon used its defensive energy to take a 17-6 advantage through the first quarter and 35-18 halftime lead. The Knights were never challenged in the second half after outscoring Mercyhurst 20-8 in the third quarter for 55-26 lead.

Senior forward Sam Pirosko again led the Knights with 15 points, but Gannon again had balanced scoring. Nine players scored in the first half for Gannon, and all 11 available GU players scored.

Senior post player Delaney Dogan (West Middlesex, Pa./West Middlesex) added 10 points and six rebounds and continued to be a defensive force in the paint. She led Gannon with two blocked shots but altered others.

Freshman Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) (nine points), senior Ali Benim (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) (eight), and senior Emma Wright (Fairview, Pa./Talawanda) (seven) also made contributions offensively. Senior forward Madison Demski (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria), who is from Erie, had a big game in the Erie rivalry game. She had six points and a team-high eight rebounds. Wright also grabbed seven rebounds.