Josh Omojafo vs. Charleston
Mike Gallagher
91
Winner Gannon Gannon 2-0,0-0 PSAC
83
Charleston (WV) UCM 1-1,0-0 MEC
Winner
Gannon Gannon
2-0,0-0 PSAC
91
Final
83
Charleston (WV) UCM
1-1,0-0 MEC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Gannon Gannon 39 52 91
Charleston (WV) UCM 45 38 83

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

Golden Knights Post Sweep of MEC Foes in Atlantic Region Tip-Off Challenge behind Omojafo's Career-High 28 Points

Gannon rallies for 91-83 win at Charleston (WV)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – There were some skeptics following Gannon's 140-108 win over Glenville State on Friday night. The Golden Knights answered a few of those skeptics on Saturday afternoon with a come-from-behind 91-83 win Charleston on the second day of the Atlantic Region Tip-Off Challenge at Charleston's Wehrle Innovation Center.

First-year coach Jordan Fee squad posted wins over both of its Mountain East Conference opponents, on Saturday beating a Golden Eagles' team that was 19-10 a year ago on its home court. And the Golden Knights had to rally back from a nine-point second-half deficit to do so.

Gannon trailed 45-39 at the half as Charleston slowed down an offense that set the school record for points in a game the night before. The difference in the second half was turnovers. Fee's pressing style resulted in 15 turnovers in the second half and 25 in the game. Gannon outscored Charleston 23-16 in turnovers, but the margin was 11-1 over the final twenty minutes.

Charleston grabbed its largest lead of the night at 48-39 on a 3-pointer ten seconds into the second half. The lead was still nine at 60-51 with just under 13 minutes remaining when Gannon started its comeback.

A Nigel Haughton (Bel Air, Md./South Kent) 3-pointer cut the deficit to six and Haughton and Derrick James (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) followed with baskets and suddenly the Golden Knights trailed by just two at 60-58 a minute after trailing by nine.

The Golden Knights tied the game at 62-62 on a Zachary Hobbs (Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert) basket at the 9:52 mark. The deficit was still two at 64-62 when Gannon gained the lead for good at 70-69 on Hobbs' 3-pointer with 7:30 remaining.

Gannon was still holding on to a three-point lead at 77-74 with five minutes left to play when a 7-1 run gave the Golden Knights a little breathing room at 84-75 with 2:30 left. It was Gannon's largest lead of the game. Freshman Mike Montano (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison) opened the run making 3-of-4 free throws. Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf) scored in the paint and made a free throw for a seven-point lead, and Haughton capped the run with layup off a turnover.

Charleston would close to within four at 87-83 with 24 seconds to go, but James made a pair of free throw and Montano added two more to hold off the Golden Eagles.   

For the second straight night Omojafo posted a career-high point total. He had 21 in the win over Glenville State and followed that up with 28 vs. Charleston. The 6-foot, 5-inch sophomore made 10-of-16 field goals with a 3-pointer and was 7-of-9 at the line. He added four of Gannon's 17 steals.

Omojafo was one of four Golden Knights in double figures. James and Hobbs finished with 13 points apiece, each making 5-of-10 field goals. Hobbs was 3-of-6 on 3-pointers. Haughton totaled 11 points and six rebounds. Montano, a 6-foot, 7-inch freshman, contributed seven points and six rebounds in 15 minutes.
Gannon ended the day shooting 47.8 percent from the floor (33-of-69), slightly better than Charleston's 45.9 percent (28-of-61). Both teams made seven 3-pointers. Gannon was 18-of-27 at the line and UC went 20-of-25 at the charity stripe. The Golden Eagles held a 41-35 advantage on the glass.

Fee's squad will now make its home debut on Wednesday, November 15 hosting Penn State DuBois at 7:30 p.m. at the Highmark Events Center.
 
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