ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon women's basketball team has undergone a lot of changes since it last met Charleston on the court.
One thing that hasn't changed is senior Sam Pirosko. The All-American post player hit double digits for the 39th consecutive game as she scored a season-high 28 points in Gannon's 86-57 victory over a solid Charleston (W.Va.) squad on Wednesday.
Coach
Cleve Wright's Gannon team improved to 5-1 against a rugged early season schedule that featured games against three ranked teams, including wins over No. 19 Angelo State and No. 5 Tampa. The Knights' only loss was a 74-70 setback against nationally ranked Glenville State.
Charleston (1-2) ended Gannon's 2022-23 season with a 69-65 victory over the Golden Knights in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional on March 10. After Gannon's 29-5 season, the Knights lost seven seniors to graduation and lost another key player to injury.
However, Pirosko and the Golden Knights looked just fine on Wednesday with a few key returnees and a strong group of newcomers. Pirosko led the way by shooting 11-of-13 from the field, including 1-of-2 from 3-point range, and sinking 5-of-6 free-throw attempts.
Â
Sophomore shooting guard
Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) contributed 15 points, including several baskets on slashing moves on fastbreaks.
Newcomer
Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria), a sophomore transfer from Mount St. Mary's, sank 3-of-4 3-point attempts and finished with 11 points.
Gannon led 15-13 late in the first quarter when it finished the period on a 6-0 run on back-to-back 3-point field goals by Pirosko and Dunham, boosting the lead to 21-13.
Charleston trimmed the lead to 27-23 before Gannon scored 10 consecutive points to take a 37-23 lead. Â Gannon eventually led 43-28 at the half as Claxon closed the half with a driving layup before the buzzer.
Gannon's lead expanded in the fourth quarter as GU fans go to see some strong second-half play from a pair of freshmen –  point guard
Olivia Cernuto (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) and shooting guard
Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester).
Both players showed tough defense and good offensive moves as Ratliff finished with eight points and four steals, and Cernuto had five points, five assists, and two steals.
Up next:
Gannon will host Walsh (Ohio) on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Â
