Lyle Tipton
Taylor Brown

Men's Basketball Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Game Preview: Gannon Starts PSAC Action on the Road at Bloomsburg, No. 14 East Stroudsburg

GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (5-0, 0-0 PSAC West) at BLOOMSBURG HUSKIES (1-4, 0-0 PSAC East)
DATE/TIME: Friday, December 1, 2023 | 5:00 p.m.
STADIUM/LOCATION: Nelson Field House l Bloomsburg, Pa.
LIVE STATS l LIVE VIDEO

GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (5-0, 0-0 PSAC West) at #14 EAST STROUDSBURG WARRIORS (4-0, 0-0 PSAC East)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 1:00 p.m.
STADIUM/LOCATION: Koehler Fieldhouse l East Stroudsburg, Pa.
LIVE STATS l LIVE VIDEO

GAME NOTES 
 
THE GANNON-BLOOMSBURG SERIES
Gannon leads 12-3  
Last Meeting: Dec. 19, 2021 – at Gannon 81, Bloomsburg 53 | RECAP
A swarming defense and a strong effort by seven-foot freshman Ali Ragab (Cairo, Egypt/Rocktop Academy) led to a lopsided win. The Gannon defense collared the Huskies in the first half, holding them to 15 points and 18.8 percent shooting from the floor (6-of-32). While they warned up a bit in the second half, BU would shoot 26.9 percent for the game (18-of-67). Ragab came off the bench to play 19 minutes and record his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. He made 7-of-8 field goals and his lone free throw attempt, adding three blocked shots. Gannon had five players in double figures, with Ike Herster (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) leading in scoring for the fourth straight game. He made 4-of-8 3-pointers to finish with 16 points. Demetrius Mims (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Polytechnic Institute) added 12 points, making 6-of-10 field goals, and six rebounds. Lance-Amir Paul totaled 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. Chris Clancy (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's) was the fifth player in double digits with 10 points, adding four assists. Ten different players entered the scoring column, and nine players saw 15-or-more minutes of action. Gannon ended the day shooting 55.0 percent from the floor (33-of-60), the second time this season over 50 percent. That included a 7-for-22 figure from beyond the arc, along with making 8-of-12 free throws.

THE GANNON-EAST STROUDSBURG SERIES
Tied at 10-10  
Last Meeting:  Jan. 22, 2022 – at East Stroudsburg 66, Gannon 61 I RECAP
A physical contest saw both teams struggle with their shooting and experience extended scoring droughts. Gannon made 22-of-66 shots to finish at 33.3 percent. That only came after a 15-for-37 (40.5 pct.) effort in the second half. The Golden Knights actually outshot the Warriors, as ESU came in at 31.1 percent (19-of-61). Gannon made 4-of-21 3-pointers and ESU was at 6-of-26. The difference came at the charity stripe. Gannon's shooting problems extended to the free throw line with a 13-of-23 showing, while ESU was 22-of-31. The Warriors final nine points came at the line as Gannon was forced to foul. Lance Amir-Paul led a trio of Golden Knights in double figures with 16 points, adding 13 rebounds. Ali Ragab (Cairo, Egypt/Rocktop Academy) also had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds while Braden Olsen contributed 11 points. Alonde LeGrand had 12 rebounds.
 
 
ERIE, Pa. – After an exciting Gary Miller Classic that featured a second comeback this season Gannon now turns to conference action. The Golden Knights head to eastern Pennsylvania for a pair of PSAC crossover contests. They play at Bloomsburg at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1, then the next day play at PSAC East preseason favorite East Stroudsburg.

Gannon owns a 5-0 record after defeating Georgina Court 109-66 the opening night followed by a 97-93 come-from-behind win over Lincoln (Pa.) in the championship game. With the victories Gannon is now receiving some national recognition. The Golden Knights are ranked 25th in the CBB Nation Top 25 and are receiving votes in the D2CSC Top 25.

Now two proud programs that suffered through tough years in 2022-23 meet on Friday. Both have already eclipsed their win totals from a year ago when Gannon finished at 3-23 and Bloomsburg 1-26. The Huskies, under former Edinboro player and women's assistant coach Chris Bess, are off to a 2-2 start this season.

The next day they meet an East Stroudsburg team under long-time head coach Jeff Wilson that is ranked 14th in the D2CSC Top 25. ESU is second in the Atlantic Region poll while Gannon is fourth. The Warriors are off to a 4-0 start that includes an 81-74 overtime win over Lincoln.  They were 23-9 a year ago and made the NCAA Tournament. Like Gannon, the Warriors are known for their fullcourt press.

Fee has helped to energize the 2023-24 Golden Knights. The associate head coach of 2023 national champion Nova Southeastern, Fee brought that same system to Gannon. It's basically 94 feet of hell for opponents, with the Golden Knights pressing and trapping, firing up 3-pointers and attacking the basket. More important for Fee, it's an unselfish brand of basketball that puts team in front of individual, with the first-year coach making full use of his roster.

For the fan, it has been about points. Lots of points. Gannon has broken the team record for points scored in two of the first three games. The season began with a 140-108 win over Glenville State in the Atlantic Region Tip-Off Challenge. That record lasted until game number three when Gannon improved to 3-0 with a 146-70 win over Penn State DuBois in the home opener. They added 109 points vs. Georgian Court for a third 100-point game in five games. The Golden Knights lead Division II in scoring at 116.6 ppg.

Omojafo Named Tournament MOP as Gannon Wins Gary Miller Classic
Gannon defeated Georgian Court and Lincoln (Pa.) this past weekend to win the 39th Annual Gary Miller Classic. Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf) was named the Most Outstanding Player and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Lyle Tipton (Glenside, Pa./Philadelphia Montgomery Christian Academy). The Golden Knights posted a 109-66 win over Georgian Court on the opening night, eclipsing 100 points for the third time in four games. Gannon led 43-31 at the half but turned it on in the second half, scoring 66 points. Omojafo led four players in double figures with 16 points. Zachary Hobbs (Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert) made 5-of-12 3-pointers to finish with 15 points, and Nathan Schneider (Kersey, Pa./St. Marys Area) also scored 15 points in a reserve role. Another bench performer, Mike Montano (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison), added a team-high 11 rebounds. Gannon forced 35 turnovers. The Golden Knights faced an athletic Lincoln team that reached the CIAA Tournament finals a year ago in the championship game. The game featured 16 lead changes and 12 ties. Gannon trailed by six points with three-and-a-half minutes to play before rallying in the final minutes for a 97-93 win. An Omojafo layup gave Gannon the lead for good at 91-90 and Montano made a pair of free throws to cap a 9-0 run. Omojafo led five players in double figures with 24 points. Tipton added 17 points and Nigel Haughton (Bel Air, Md./South Kent) had his first double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. After a slow start from the line the Golden Knights made their final 13 shots from the charity stripe.

Gannon's Jordan Fee Named HoopDirt.com Division II Coach of the Week
Jordan Fee was named the HoopDirt.com Division II Coach of the Week. Fee led Gannon to a pair of wins this past weekend as the Golden Knights captured the championship of the 39th Annual Gary Miller Classic. Gannon posted wins over Georgian Court, 109-66, in the first round and Lincoln ({Pa.) in the championship game, 97-93. Gannon rallied from six points down with three-and-a-half minutes left ln the championship game to defeat a Lincoln team that reached the CIAA championship game last year. Fee, in his first season as Gannon's head after serving as the associate coach at NCAA Division II national champion Nova Southeastern, has led Gannon to a perfect 5-0 record while bringing an exciting new style of basketball to the Highmark Events Center. The Golden Knights have scored 100-or-more points in three of the five games and 90-or-more points in all five games.

Golden Knights Gaining National Attention
The Gannon men's basketball team is off to a 5-0 start under first-year head coach Jordan Fee and people are beginning to take notice. For the first time since the 2020-21 campaign – the COVID season – the Golden Knights are nationally-ranked. Gannon is receiving votes in the D2CSC Division II Top 25 along with debuting in 25th place in the CBB Nation D2 Top 25. It marks the first time the Golden Knights appeared in the national rankings since late February of 2021. Gannon was ranked as high as 21st that season by the NABC. Oddly enough, the top two teams in both polls are part of Fee's resume'. Nova Southeastern is ranked first and West Liberty is second. Fee finished his playing career at West Liberty before beginning his coaching career with the Hilltoppers. He was the associate head coach last year at Nova Southeastern helping the Sharks win the Division II national championship. 

Size Matters vs. Lincoln
Lincoln had a decided height advantage over the Golden Knights, but head coach Jordan Fee made a halftime adjustment that paid huge dividends. He inserted 6'8" sophomore Cenker Evran (Adana, Turkey/Turk Telekom) into the rotation and had Mike Montano (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison), a 6'7" freshman, on the court as well. The duo, along with Zachary Hobbs (Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert), battled the taller Lions inside. The Lions still held a 36-26 edge on the glass but the duo helped negate Lincoln's size inside. Evran was a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor in nine minutes to finish with six points. 

Fee Joins Select Group at Gannon
Gannon has now won the Gary Miller Classic two of the last three years, but it was the first with first-year head coach Jordan Fee at the helm. Fee becomes the first coach in his first season at Gannon to take home the Gary Miller Classic championship trophy since Jerry Slocum in 1996. The 5-0 start is also the best start since Slocum started his first campaign with six straight wins. It is tied for the fourth-best start by a Golden Knight coach. Dave Markey ran off five straight wins to start his tenure in 1970.
 
Golden Knights Lead Division II in Scoring
Gannon leads Division II in scoring at 116.6 ppg. after five contests. The statistics get very interesting when looking at the teams that are second and third – Nova Southeastern (108.8 ppg.) and West Liberty (105.6 ppg.) First-year head coach Jordan Fee served as an assistant coach at Nova Southeastern before taking over at Gannon. He began his coaching career at West Liberty after playing there. The System!

Two for the Records
The naming of Jordan Fee as head coach at Gannon left Golden Knights fans scrambling to see what the school record for points in a game. The answer was 130 against Hilbert on Dec. 31, 1996. But that record changed twice in Fee's first three games at the helm. Gannon opened with a 140-108 win over Glenville State that challenged several records. The two teams combined for 248 points, shattering the previous record of 220 set in the 1970-71 season (Gannon 111, Alliance 109). Gannon scored 67 points in the first half and 73 in the second half, with the 73 points likely a school record. In addition the two teams combined for 130 points in the second half. The Golden Knights made 18-of-39 3-pointers to fall one 3-pointer shy of the school record. They also tied the record for field goal attempts with 93. The record was previously set against St. Francis (NY) on Dec. 30, 1975. Eight players scored in double figures in the opener, also believed to be a record. Less than a week later the record for points in a game fell as Gannon defeated Penn State DuBois 146-70.

Teamwork is the Dreamwork
The 2023-24 Golden Knight squad is all about balance as first-year head coach Jordan Fee is making full use of his roster. Ten players are averaging 11-or-more points, but no one is averaging more than 22.0 minutes in the first five games. Eight players are averaging 8.0 points or more. Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf) leads the way at 21.0 ppg., but no one else is at more than 12.4 ppg. Eight players scored in double figures against Glenville State, with seven reaching double digits against Penn State DuBois.

Bombs Away!
Gannon's opening-game win over Glenville State saw the Golden Knights put up a school-record 140 points. In the process the Golden Knights attempted 39 3-pointers, making 18. The 18 made 3-pointers is one shy of the school record. Eight different players made 3-pointers, and 13 of the 14 players on the team attempted at least one three. Ernest Shelton (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) led the way, with the freshman guard debuting with eight 3-pointers in 12 attempts. Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf), Derrick James and Michael Lucarotti made two 3-pointers apiece.

Scouting Bloomsburg
After finishing with just one win in his inaugural season second-year head coach Chris Bess has guided Bloomsburg to a 2-2 start. The former Edinboro assistant women's basketball coach saw his Huskies split a pair of games in the Joe Retton Classic to open the season. They opened with a 90-69 loss to host Fairmont State but came back the next day with a 98-93 win over West Virginia Wesleyan. The last two games have been at home, an 85-63 loss to Caldwell and a 75-73 win over Holy Family on November 18. Four Huskies are scoring in double figures led by Jake Nelson at 18.0 ppg. The 6'7" graduate student leads the PSAC in rebounding (14.3 rpg.) and is shooting 63.6 percent from the floor, third in the conference. Matt Bengel, a native of Erie who played his high school ball at Mercyhurst Prep, adds 12.9 ppg. and is shooting 59.4 percent from the floor. DJ Gordon (10.5 ppg.) and Louie Wild (10.3 ppg.) are also in double figures. 

Scouting East Stroudsburg
Long-time head coach Jeff Wilson has the Warriors off to a fast start heading into Friday's home opener with Mercyhurst. That is a rematch of last year's NCAA Tournament game. East Stroudsburg is 4-0 and ranked 14th in the latest D2CSC Top 25. The Warriors opened with a pair of wins in the Harbor of Hospitality Tournament, beginning with an overtime win over Lincoln, 81-74, followed by an 84-78 victory over Elizabeth City State. Next up was a 79-62 win at Molloy before playing last Saturday at D'Youville and winning 88-70. Wilson's Warriors finished at 23-9 a year ago to make the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time, but the first since 2019. ESU continued its tradition of high-point outputs and tenacious full-court press defense, leading the PSAC and ranking in the top 10 in the nation in both scoring offense (9th in NCAA DII, 86.9 ppg), steals per game (8th, 9.8) and forced turnovers per game (6th, 18.6). ESU also led the PSAC in assists per game (17.2) and free-throw attempts. The Warriors are currently averaging 83.0 ppg. with three players scoring in double digits. Tyshawn Trail, a 6'3" sophomore, leads the way at 12.5 ppg. Lakeem McAliley adds 12.3 ppg. and a team-high 9.3 rpg. He is a 6'8", 235 lb. redshirt junior who is a two-time All-PSAC East honoree.

Next for the Golden Knights
Gannon will play its final non-conference game of the season on Wednesday, December 13 when Salem visits the Highmark Events Center. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Chris Clancy

#5 Chris Clancy

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Ike Herster

#3 Ike Herster

G
6' 6"
Redshirt Sophomore
Demetrius Mims

#1 Demetrius Mims

F
6' 6"
Redshirt Junior
Ali Ragab

#55 Ali Ragab

C
7' 0"
Sophomore
Cenker Evran

#32 Cenker Evran

F
6' 8"
Sophomore
Nigel Haughton

#10 Nigel Haughton

G
6' 1"
Graduate Student
Zachary Hobbs

#24 Zachary Hobbs

G/F
6' 4"
Graduate Student
Derrick James

#12 Derrick James

G
5' 10"
Sophomore
Michael Lucarotti

#2 Michael Lucarotti

G
6' 5"
Redshirt Freshman
Mike Montano

#1 Mike Montano

G/F
6' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Chris Clancy

#5 Chris Clancy

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Ike Herster

#3 Ike Herster

6' 6"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Demetrius Mims

#1 Demetrius Mims

6' 6"
Redshirt Junior
F
Ali Ragab

#55 Ali Ragab

7' 0"
Sophomore
C
Cenker Evran

#32 Cenker Evran

6' 8"
Sophomore
F
Nigel Haughton

#10 Nigel Haughton

6' 1"
Graduate Student
G
Zachary Hobbs

#24 Zachary Hobbs

6' 4"
Graduate Student
G/F
Derrick James

#12 Derrick James

5' 10"
Sophomore
G
Michael Lucarotti

#2 Michael Lucarotti

6' 5"
Redshirt Freshman
G
Mike Montano

#1 Mike Montano

6' 7"
Freshman
G/F