Thomas Whitley vs. Mercyhurst
Duffy Gallagher

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

Game Preview: No. 5/4 Gannon Makes Short Journey to Mercyhurst to Renew Crosstown Rivalry

No. 5/4 GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (23-2, 17-2 PSAC West) at MERCYHURST LAKERS (13-13, 9-9 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 | 7:30 p.m.
ARENA/LOCATION: Mercyhurst Athletic Center l Erie, Pa.
LIVE STATS l LIVE VIDEO

GAME NOTES

THE GANNON-MERCYHURST ALL-TIME SERIES
Gannon leads 55-32    
Gannon snapped a ten-game losing streak to Mercyhurst in the first meeting this year, defeating the Lakers 79-68 on January 24. It was the first victory in the series since a 58-50 win during the 2017-18 season. Five of the ten losses had been by seven points or less. Last year's game at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center saw Gannon build a double-digit lead in the first half before the Lakers rallied for a 72-58 win.
 
Last Meeting:  Jan. 24, 2023 – at Gannon 79, Mercyhurst 68 I RECAP
Gannon snapped a ten-game losing streak to Mercyhurst as the bench turned in a strong effort. The "second wave" jump-started the Golden Knights in front of a large crowd and ended up with 38 of the team's 79 points. The Lakers allowed few of the trademark scoring spurts the Golden Knights have become known for, but the Gannon defense stepped up. Gannon forced 16 turnovers while turning the ball over a season-low eight times as the Golden Knights outscored the Lakers 20-5 on turnovers. Gannon held a narrow 32-31 advantage at the half. The lead exchanged hands six times in the early minutes of the second half before Gannon gained the lead for good at 49-46 with 14:30 remaining on a 3-point play by Nathan Schneider (Kersey, Pa./St. Marys Area). Leading 49-48, the Golden Knights took control of the contest with a 15-4 run to move ahead 64-52 with 7:34 left. Mercyhurst pulled no closer than seven points on two occasions the rest of the way, the last at 75-68 with 2:42 left to play. The Golden Knights finished off the win with a pair of Nigel Haughton (Bel Air, Md./South Kent) free throws and a Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf) layup. Four Golden Knights scored in double figures as nine players scored five-or-more points. Reserves Schneider and Derrick Anderson (Youngstown, Ohio/Boardman) scored 16 and 10 points, respectively. Omojafo and Haughton added 11 points apiece. Jeff Planutis led Mercyhurst with 20 points and Adam Reichert finished with 16.
 
 
ERIE, Pa. – Round two of the Battle for Erie takes place on Wednesday, February 21 as Gannon plays at Mercyhurst. Tipoff at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center is 7:30 p.m.
 
For the first time since the 2017-18 season Gannon came away with a victory in the series, prevailing in the first meeting 79-68 at Hagerty Family Events Center on January 24. It put an end to Mercyhurst's ten-game winning streak against Gannon, after the Golden Knights had won four straight meetings.
 
Gannon enters the game ranked in the top five in Division II in both national polls with a 23-2 record, including 17-2 in the PSAC West following a 100-81 win over Clarion on Saturday. The Golden Knights moved up two spots to fifth in the latest NABC Div. II Top 25 and remained fourth in the D2CSC Media Poll. They have run off 12-straight wins and hold a one-game lead for first place over California (Pa.) in the Western Division standings and have clinched a first-round bye and a hosting spot in the PSAC Quarterfinals.
 
Mercyhurst moved to .500 at 13-13 overall and 9-9 in the PSAC West thanks to Saturday's 64-59 win over Seton Hill. That leaves the Lakers fifth in the division, a game ahead of Seton Hill and a game behind Slippery Rock for fourth place. The third and fourth seeds host first-round games.
 
Wednesday's game will be the second meeting between Gannon first-year coach Jordan Fee and long-time Mercyhurst mentor Gary Manchel. The two employ systems that are polar opposites. Manchel is renowned for his defensive tactics while Fee has revitalized the Gannon program with a fast-paced style that has the Golden Knights leading Division II in scoring at 104.6 ppg. They reached 100 points for the 14th time vs. Clarion. Mercyhurst, meanwhile, leads the PSAC in scoring defense at 66.0 ppg. Manchel recently won his 500th game as a head coach.
 
Picked to finish seventh in the PSAC West in the preseason poll, Fee brought in nine new players to replenish the roster and has energized the program with a fast-paced, entertaining style of play. The Golden Knights have twice set the school record for points in a game. They scored 146 points vs. Penn State DuBois and 140 vs. Glenville State.
 
The 23 wins are the most since the 2014-15 team also won 23 games. The 12-game game winning streak is the longest since a 14-game winning streak in 2001-02 and comes after Gannon opened the season with 10 consecutive wins.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Gannon 100, Clarion 81 – A pair of Lyle Tipton (Glenside, Pa./Philadelphia Montgomery Christian Academy) 3-pointers fueled another of Gannon's signature runs to help the Golden Knights pull away from Clarion early in the second half. The Golden Knights led 46-39 at the half and the lead was just six points early in the second half before a 12-2 run gave Gannon some breathing room. Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf) led five players in double figures with 20 points, while Tipton added 18 points, making four 3-pointers. Mike Montano (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison) came off the bench to post his second straight double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Nigel Haughton (Bel Air, Md./South Kent) finished with 11 points and six steals while Ernest Shelton (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) added 10 points. Derrick James (Columbus, Ohio/Canal Winchester) handed out seven assists. Gannon forced 27 turnovers that led to a 34-13 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
Mercyhurst 64, Seton Hill 59 – Mercyhurst evened its record at 13-13 and moved a step closer to clinching a berth in the PSAC Tournament with the win over the Griffins. Sean Fullerton led the Lakers with a career-high 24 points. Alexander Parks added 10 points. The Lakers trailed 34-30 at the half but gained the lead for good on a Christian Gamble 3-pointer midway through the second half. Mercyhurst won on a day when their top two scorers, Jeff Planutis and Adam Reichert, combined for just 17 points. Reichert had 10 rebounds.  
 
Gannon Moves Into Top Five in Both National Rankings
Gannon is now in the top five in both the NABC Division II Top 25 and the D2CSC Media Poll following a pair of victories last week. The Golden Knights remained fourth in the D2CSC Media Poll while moving up two spots from seventh to fifth in the NABC Top 25. Gannon improved to 23-2 under first-year head coach Jordan Fee thanks to a 94-91 win over Slippery Rock and a 100-81 victory over Clarion. Two weeks ago the Golden Knights climbed into the top five for the first time. Gannon has wins over three teams in each poll following the recent 107-98 victory over California (Pa.). Gannon's fifth place ranking in the NABC poll is the highest since the 2008-09 team was fifth in the season's final poll. That squad was ranked as high as fourth during the season.
 
Montano Posts Back-to-Back Double-Doubles, Repeats as PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week
On Monday Mike Montano (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison) repeated as the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week. It's the third time the freshman has earned the award and the second week in a row. He posted double-doubles in a pair of victories while coming off the bench as Gannon ran its winning streak to 12 games. Gannon held off Slippery Rock on Wednesday 94-91. The 6-foot-7 guard forward had 13 points, making 6-of-13 field goals and 1-of-2 free throws, with 12 rebounds, two assists and a block in 26 minutes. On Saturday Gannon recorded the season sweep of Clarion thanks to a 100-81 victory. Montano played 21 minutes, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds. He made 6-of-10 field goals and 4-of-4 free throws, adding three steals and an assist. The double-double was his third of the season.

Make it 14 100-Point Games
When the 2023-24 season began the school record for 100-point games in a season was six. Under first-year head coach Jordan Fee the Golden Knights have more than doubled that number. When Ernest Shelton (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) made a pair of free throws in the final minute on Saturday against Clarion Gannon had 100 points for the 14th time in a 100-81 win. Gannon continues to lead Division II in scoring at 104.6. The Golden Knights have twice set the school record for points in a game. They scored 146 points vs. Penn State DuBois and 140 vs. Glenville State.
 
12-Game Winning Streak Longest Since 2001-02
Gannon opened the 2023-24 campaign with ten straight victories. The Golden Knights suffered losses to Millersville and California (Pa.) but since the latter loss have run off 12 straight wins. That is the longest winning streak since the 2001-02 team opened the year with 14 straight wins.
 
23 Wins the Most Since 2008-09
Gannon's 23 wins are the most since the 2014-15 team finished the year at 23-9. Next up is the 2008-09 Golden Knight edition that finished at 30-4.
 
Gannon Remains Perfect at Home
Saturday's 100-81 win over Slippery Rock kept the Golden Knights undefeated at home this year at 14-0. Gannon has called two courts "home" this season. They went 6-0 at the Highmark Events Center before it was shut down for renovations. Since that time Gannon has called Cathedral Prep's Hagerty Family Events Center home and has run off wins in all eight contests at that facility. Gannon has not finished undefeated at home during the regular season was 1974-75, when they finished at 19-0.
 
Golden Knights Practice Thievery at Record Pace
On Saturday Gannon recorded 18 steals against Clarion. Six different players had two-or-more steals, with Nigel Haughton (Bel Air, Md./South Kent) credited with five steals and Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf) four. Of course steals are all part of the aura that is Gannon basketball under head coach Jordan Fee. The Golden Knights have had double-digit steals in 20 of 25 games. In fact, Gannon has 330 steals this season, which is a new school record. In addition, Derrick James (Columbus, Ohio/Canal Winchester) has climbed into a tie for tenth in season assists with 61.  
 
Mr. Jack-of-All-Trades
With all the big numbers put up by his Gannon teammates, Nigel Haughton (Bel Air, Md./South Kent) may be the most overlooked Golden Knight. But definitely not to head coach Jordan Fee. The graduate student has quietly put together an outstanding season with little fanfare. Saturday's game against Clarion was a perfect example of the contributions of the 6-foot-3 transfer from Chestnut Hill. Haughton made 5-of-7 field goals with a 3-pointer to finish with 11 points, adding four rebounds, three assists and five steals. On the season Haughton is averaging 7.0 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. But it's more than the numbers with the graduate student. It's the intangibles, the little things that don't show up in a box score that will make him such a hard player to replace next year.
 
Omojafo Makes the Cut to Bevo Francis Top 50 Watch List 
A month ago Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf) was named to the Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List for the 2023-24 season. Today The National Awards Committee and Small College Basketball announced the pared down number of candidates as the Top 50 Watch List was released, with Omojafo making the cut. It consists of some of the top players from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA. The Clarence "Bevo" Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Omojafo is a 6-foot-5 sophomore from Hamilton, Ontario. He has led the resurgence of Gannon men's basketball under first-year head coach Jordan Fee. One of the most improved players in the PSAC after averaging 8.2 ppg. as a freshman, Omojafo leads Gannon and is tied for second in the PSAC in scoring at 20.1 ppg. He is shooting 50.7 percent from the floor with 19 3-pointers in 58 attempts. In addition he is closing in on the Gannon record for free throws made with 161 in 194 attempts, good for fifth in the PSAC in free throw percentage at 83.0 percent. He is second in the PSAC and fourth nationally in free throws made. Omojafo ranks fourth on the team in steals (36) and has 32 assists. He scored 20 points on Saturday in a 100-81 win over Slippery Rock, his 14th game with 20-or-more points. That includes three games of 30-or-more points. He dropped in a career-high 32 points vs. West Chester along with scoring at Bloomsburg and 30 at California (Pa.). On March 15th, the Top 25 players will be announced. On April 5th, the finalists of this year's award will be announced, followed by the Bevo Francis Award winner being crowned on April 8th.
 
Scouting Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst held off Seton Hill on Saturday, 64-59, to even its record at 13-13 and 9-9 in the PSAC West. More importantly, the Lakers are battling for the fourth seed in the Western Division and a first-round home game in the PSAC Tournament. They are a game behind 10-8 Slippery Rock. Mercyhurst has enjoyed great success under long-time head coach Gary Manchel, who recently went over 500 career wins, with 371 of those in 21 seasons at Mercyhurst. As always, Manchel's team is about defense. Renowned for his defensive tactics, Manchel's team leads the PSAC in scoring defense at 66.0 ppg. and have allowed just eight teams to reach 70 points. The Lakers feature three players scoring in double figures, Jeff Planutis, a 6'6" graduate student, leads the way at 18.0 ppg, and has made 58 of 148 3-pointers. He also leads the team in assists (44) and steals (29). Planutis has scored over 1,000 career points and ranks eighth in the PSAC in scoring and ninth in 3-pointers made per game. Sophomore Sean Fullerton, a 6'3" guard, comes off a career-high 24-point effort against Seton Hill and comes in at 12.1 ppg, and has made 37-of-79 3-pointers. Aidan Reichert, a 6'4" junior, adds 11.8 ppg, and a team-high 5.9 rpg.

Next for the Golden Knights
Gannon will celebrate Senior Day on Sunday, February 25 when Pitt-Johnstown visits the Hagerty Family Events Center. Tipoff for the special Sunday edition of Golden Knights hoops is set for 3:00 p.m.
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Derrick Anderson

#3 Derrick Anderson

G
6' 2"
Junior
Nigel Haughton

#10 Nigel Haughton

G
6' 1"
Graduate Student
Derrick James

#12 Derrick James

G
5' 10"
Sophomore
Mike Montano

#1 Mike Montano

G/F
6' 7"
Freshman
Josh Omojafo

#4 Josh Omojafo

G
6' 5"
Sophomore
Nathan Schneider

#23 Nathan Schneider

G
6' 2"
Graduate Student
Ernest Shelton

#14 Ernest Shelton

G
6' 4"
Freshman
Lyle Tipton

#33 Lyle Tipton

G/F
6' 3"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Derrick Anderson

#3 Derrick Anderson

6' 2"
Junior
G
Nigel Haughton

#10 Nigel Haughton

6' 1"
Graduate Student
G
Derrick James

#12 Derrick James

5' 10"
Sophomore
G
Mike Montano

#1 Mike Montano

6' 7"
Freshman
G/F
Josh Omojafo

#4 Josh Omojafo

6' 5"
Sophomore
G
Nathan Schneider

#23 Nathan Schneider

6' 2"
Graduate Student
G
Ernest Shelton

#14 Ernest Shelton

6' 4"
Freshman
G
Lyle Tipton

#33 Lyle Tipton

6' 3"
Graduate Student
G/F