Nathan Schneider vs. Salem
Bryce Dolak
56
Salem (WV) Salem 3-8,0-0 DII Independent
104
Winner Gannon Gannon 8-0,2-0 PSAC
Salem (WV) Salem
3-8,0-0 DII Independent
56
Final
104
Gannon Gannon
8-0,2-0 PSAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Salem (WV) Salem 24 32 56
Gannon Gannon 52 52 104

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

No. 18/17 Golden Knights Pass First Test as Ranked Team with 104-56 Win over Salem

ERIE, Pa. – Playing for the first time as a nationally-ranked team Gannon rode a season-high 28-point effort by Nathan Schneider (Kersey, Pa./St. Marys Area) to defeat Salem 104-56 at the Highmark Events Center. The win boosted the Golden Knights to 8-0 while Salem dipped to 2-8.

A day earlier the Golden Knights found out they were ranked 18th in the NABC Division II Top 25, the first time in the NABC poll since the 2020-21 season. In addition Gannon moved up one spot in the D2CSC Top 25 to 17th.

The 100-point effort was the sixth of the season – in eight games. That ties the school record for 100-point games in a season previously set in 1968-69. In addition, first-year head coach Jordan Fee tied the best start by a first-year coach with the eighth straight win. Ed Sparling led his initial Gannon squad to eight straight victories in 1974-75.

Gannon came in leading Division II in scoring at 117.3 ppg. but the Golden Knights got off to a slow start against a game Salem squad, although Gannon never trailed in the game. Gannon led 26-19 with just over seven minutes left when they put it into high gear. The Tigers committed just three turnovers over the first 13 minutes but the Golden Knights forced eight turnovers the rest of the half.

In the span of less than four minutes the Golden Knights outscored Salem 16-2 to take a 41-21 lead. The run started with a Zachary Hobbs (Gilbert, Ariz./Mesa) 3-pointer and was followed by back-to-back Josh Omajafo dunks off turnovers. Hobbs followed with two trifectas and Schneider capped the outburst with a traditional 3-point play.

By the time the teams reached halftime Gannon held a 52-24 lead. Despite an uncharacteristic off-shooting half the Golden Knights turned the 11 turnovers into an 18-0 advantage in points off turnovers.

Salem was never able to make a run at the Golden Knights in the second half. Early in the second half Gannon went on a 13-0 run to build its lead to 68-28 with 16:11 remaining. The lead would eventually grow to as much as 48 points at 97-49 with just over three minutes remaining.

The only drama still remaining was would the Golden Knights reach 100 points. That was answered with 1:32 left as Derrick Anderson (Youngstown, Ohio/Boardman) drained his third 3-pointer of the evening.

All 14 Golden Knights scored with Schneider leading the way with a season-high 28 points. The graduate student was the AMCC Player of the Year last season at Pitt-Bradford and has a seamless transition to Division II. He made 11-of-19 shots, including 4-of-8 3-pointers, and went 2-of-2 at the line. The 6'2" guard added a team-high six rebounds while playing just 20 minutes.

Schneider led four Golden Knights in double figures. Hobbs and Anderson added 15 points apiece while combing to make 8-of-12 shots from beyond the arc. Hobbs drained 5-of-7 3-pointers while Anderson was 3-of-5. Omojafo was also in double figures with 12 points, adding three steals.

Sophomore point guard Derrick James (Columbus, Ohio/Canal Winchester) enjoyed another outstanding game. He scored seven points but also had six assists, all in the first half, with just one turnover and recorded five steals.

While reaching 100 points the Golden Knights fell under 50 percent shooting from the floor for just the third time, finishing at 48.8 percent (40-of-82). However, they made 15-of-39 3-pointers, the 39 three's attempted tying the school record set in the opening game vs. Glenville State. Gannon went 9-of-14 at the line.

Gannon turned in its best defensive effort of the season, limiting the Tigers to 56 points while shooting 34.9 percent from the floor (22-of-63). That included a 3-for-17 effort on 3-pointers. Salem made 9-of-15 free throws.

Gannon committed a season-low nine turnovers while forcing 22. It led to a 34-6 advantage in points off turnovers. The Golden Knights also won the battle of the boards despite facing a taller Salem squad. Gannon had 49 rebounds compared to 42 for Salem. Six-foot-ten-inch Ashraf Tchaduwa did prove to be a lot for the Golden Knights to handle as he had 17 rebounds and three blocked shots.

The Golden Knights will play for the final time before the holidays, and the final time in the Highmark Events Center for an extended period, on Monday, December 18 and Tuesday, December 19. Kutztown will provide the opposition on Monday and West Chester on Tuesday for a pair of PSAC crossover contests. Tipoff both nights is 7:30 p.m.  
 
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