mb - 12-2
110
Winner Gannon Gannon 7-0,2-0 PSAC
96
East Stroudsburg ESU 5-1,1-1 PSAC
Winner
Gannon Gannon
7-0,2-0 PSAC
110
Final
96
East Stroudsburg ESU
5-1,1-1 PSAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Gannon Gannon 57 53 110
East Stroudsburg ESU 38 58 96

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

Six Score in Double Figures as Golden Knights Knock Off PSAC East Preseason Favorite East Stroudsburg 110-96

EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – If any validation was needed regarding the start of the Gannon basketball era under first-year head coach Jordan fee, it came on Saturday afternoon in eastern Pennsylvania. In a meeting of two undefeated teams the Golden Knights improved to 7-0 and 2-0 in PSAC action with a 110-96 victory at East Stroudsburg. The Warriors were handed a rare loss at Koehler Fieldhouse while falling to 5-1 and 1-1, respectively.

The Golden Knights beat East Stroudsburg at its own game, clamping on a fullcourt press that produced 27 ESU turnovers and 41 points. Gannon also outscored the Warriors 26-16 on fastbreak points.

East Stroudsburg came in as the preseason favorite in the PSAC East and was ranked 14th in the D2CSC Top 25. It marked the fifth time in seven games that Gannon has topped the century mark. Gannon entered the game as the top-scoring team in Division II at 118.5. The 110 points were the most allowed by ESU since the 2011-12 season when West Liberty scored 119 points in an NCAA Tournament game. Jordan Fee scored four points in that game as a member of the Hilltoppers.

Gannon once again featured balanced scoring. Six Golden Knights scored in double figures, with freshman Mike Montano (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison) leading the way with a season-high 20 points. He came off the bench to make 9-of-12 field goals and 2-of-3 free throws, adding a team-high six rebounds plus three steals.

Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf), fresh off a 31-point effort at Bloomsburg on Friday, Derrick Anderson (Youngstown, Ohio/Boardman) and Zachary Hobbs (Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert) added 19 points apiece. Omojafo made 7-of-11 field goals, including 2-of-5 3-pointers, and was 3-of-6 at the line. Anderson was 7-of-10 from the floor, making his lone 3-point attempt, and was 4-of-5 at the line. Hobbs went 4-for-7 from beyond the arc and had three steals.

Lyle Tipton (Glenside, Pa./Philadelphia Montgomery Christian Academy) chipped in with 14 points and Derrick James (Columbus, Ohio/Canal Winchester) had 11 points plus eight assists without a turnover. James added a pair of steals.

Gannon once again shot better than 50 percent from the floor for the fourth straight game and fifth time overall. The Golden Knights finished at 57.6 percent (38-of-66), including a sizzling 64.5 percent in the first half when they jumped out to a 57-38 lead. They made 10-of-23 3-pointers and went 24-of-29 at the line. East Stroudsburg enjoyed a strong shooting day, as well. The Warriors were at 54.1 percent from the field (33-of-61), making 6-of-18 3-pointers and 24-of-32 free throws. The rebound battle was basically even with ESU holding a 33-32 edge.

Gannon never trailed in the game with just one tie, that at 8-8. With the Golden Knights holding a slim 11-10 advantage the Golden Knights proceeded to score ten straight points, four courtesy of Anderson.

The lead was still just eight points at 43-35 with just over three minutes left in the half when Gannon went on another run. The Golden Knights closed the half on a 14-3 run, including the final eight points, to lead by 19 points at 57-38 at intermission.

Gannon would build its lead to as much as 26 points on several occasions in the second half and ESU got no closer than the final margin. Omojafo put Gannon over 100 points with a 3-pointer with 6:42 remaining.

The Golden Knights now have some time off before returning to the hardcourt on Wednesday, December 13 for the final non-conference game of the year. They host Salem at 5:30 p.m. at the Highmark Events Center.   
 
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