The Gannon women's basketball team celebrates its Atlantic Regional title with the fans.
Matt Durisko

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

Elite Eight Preview: Top-Seed Golden Knights Meet No. 8 Cal State San Marcos in Quarterfinals

No. 1 GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (35-2, 21-1 PSAC West) vs. No. 8 CAL STATE SAN MARCOS COUGARS (25-6, 18-4 CCAA)
NCAA Div. II Elite Eight -- Quarterfinals
DATE/TIME: Monday, March 25, 2024 | 7:00 p.m.
ARENA/LOCATION: St. Joseph Civic Arena l St. Joseph, Mo.
LIVE VIDEO
LIVE STATS

GAME NOTES

RADIO:  Gannon basketball fans can catch all of the exciting action of Golden Knights' basketball on 90.5 WERG FM. Dan Teliski will have the call of all the games in St. Joseph, Mo.

THE GANNON-CAL STATE SAN MARCOS SERIES
First Meeting


ERIE, Pa. – Gannon is making its third appearance in the Elite Eight and first since 2013. The Golden Knights have been awarded the number one seed in the Elite Eight and will play No. 8 seed Cal State San Marcos in a quarterfinal game in St. Joseph, Mo. on Monday, March 25. Tipoff at the St. Joseph Civic Arena is 7:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. CST).

The Golden Knights made their first appearance in the Elite Eight in 2010. They came in also as the number one seed with an unblemished 36-0 record. Following a 70-66 win over Tusculum, Gannon suffered an 87-84 loss in overtime to Emporia State in the semifinals to finish at 37-1. That tournament also took place in St. Joseph, Mo.

Gannon returned to the Elite Eight in 2013 as the No. 7 seed. The Golden Knights would drop a 74-63 decision to No. 2 Ashland, this time in San Antonio, Texas, to end the year at 31-5.

Head coach Cleve Wright's team has now won 11 straight games after an impressive 72-47 win over No. 3 seed Fayetteville State in the Atlantic Regional championship game. Gannon came in ranked fourth in the WBCA Top 25 final regular season poll while Fayetteville State was ninth.

The victory boosted Gannon to 35-2 on the season, the second-highest win total, only exceeded by the 37-1 finish in 2009-10.

Cal State San Marcos comes in with a 26-6 record, a school record for wins, and has won eight games in a row. After claiming the championship of the California Collegiate Athletic Association, the Cougars captured the West Region title with a 73-71 win over Montana State Billings. Ava Ranson made two free throws with four seconds left to give the Cougars their first regional title. CSUSM came in to that tournament as the number two seed and was ranked 24th in the WBCA Top 25.

Wright is concluding his 16th season at the helm and is in his second go-around with the Golden Knights. He coached Gannon from 2002-13 then returned in 2019-20. He was recently named the PSAC West Coach of the Year for the third time. He has guided Gannon to nine 20-win seasons and nine NCAA Tournaments, including Atlantic Region championships in 2010, 2013 and now 2024. They reached the regional final in 2009.

Gannon relies on a stifling defense and WBCA Division II Player of the Year Samantha Pirosko (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North). Gannon's defense ranks among the best in Division II in numerous categories. The Golden Knights are first in the PSAC and fourth in Division II in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 52.9 ppg. The Golden Knights have held 14 opponents to 50 points or less. In addition, they lead the PSAC in field goal percentage (33.7 pct.) and stand second in the country, along with ranking second in the PSAC in turnover margin (+3.76) and turnovers forced per game (18.8).

Pirosko is a 5-foot-10 redshirt senior who is culminating a brilliant career as a Golden Knight. On Thursday she was named the WBCA Division II Player of the Year while becoming a three-time WBCA All-American. She was previously named the PSAC West Athlete of the Year for the second straight year and the D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year. She went on to be named the PSAC Tournament MVP and the Atlantic Regional MVP. Pirosko leads the PSAC in scoring and has moved into second in career scoring with 2,267 career points and fifth in career rebounds with 905.

How Gannon Reached the Elite Eight
With Gannon hosting both the men's and women's Atlantic Regional, the NCAA split the regional with No. 1 seed Gannon hosting four teams and No. 2 seed Fairmont State hosting four. Gannon fell behind West Virginia State 21-8 in the first seven minutes of its quarterfinal game as the Yellow Jackets ran off 15 straight points. The Golden Knights rallied from their largest deficit of the season to close to 23-16 at the end of the first quarter. Gannon then outscored West Virginia State 23-8 in the second quarter to grab a 39-31 lead at the half. They controlled the third period 17-6 and at one point Gannon's run was 60-22. The Golden Knights ended up winning 73-53 while holding the Yellow Jackets to 26.9 percent from the floor (14-of-52). Samantha Pirosko (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North) and Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) led Gannon with 17 points apiece.
On Saturday night Gannon found itself in a physical tussle with Lock Haven in a rematch of the previous weekend's PSAC Championship. The Golden Knights held a narrow 43-39 lead at the half but proceeded to dominate the Bald Eagles in the third quarter. Gannon outscored Lock Haven 30-12 with Pirosko scoring 13 of her game-high 34 points. Gannon went on to win 91-72 behind Pirosko (9-of-16 FGs, 3-of-5 3's, 13-of-15 free throws).
That left a meeting with No. 3 seed Fayetteville State in the finals. Gannon held a narrow 14-11 lead after one quarter and extended the lead to 34-26 at the half when Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Golden Knights took over in the third quarter, outscoring Fayetteville State 21-11, and the Broncos trailed by as much as 29 points in the final period. Pirosko led four Golden Knights in double figures with 18 points and nine rebounds. Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria) came off the bench to make 5-of-10 3-pointers and finish with 15 points. Fayetteville State made just 17-of-60 shots (28.3 pct.).
 
Pirosko Named WBCA Division II Player of the Year
Samantha Pirosko (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North) has received plenty of awards as a Golden Knight and on Thursday she was accorded the biggest of her career. The 5-foot-10 redshirt senior not only became a three-time NABC All-American but was named the NABC Division II Player of the Year. She is the first Gannon player to receive the award. Last week she was selected the D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year for the second straight season and is on the national All-American ballot. Pirosko was recently named the 2023-24 PSAC West Athlete of the Year, earning the honor for the second straight year. She went on to be named the PSAC Tournament MVP and on Tuesday was honored as the Atlantic Regional MVP. She leads the PSAC and ranks 13th in Division II in scoring (19.6 ppg) and is fourth in the nation with 239 field goals. Pirosko also ranks second in the nation with 212 made free throws and 13th in the nation with a free-throw percentage of 88.3. She also leads the Golden Knights with 8.1 rpg. and is shooting 54.2 percent from the floor (244-of-450), good for second in the conference.
 
WBCA Names Batts Assistant Coach of the Year
Former Gannon standout Brittany Batts is now making her presence felt in the coaching profession. Batts was recognized by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as the WBCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year. Batts joined the Gannon staff in 2021-22 and has helped the Golden Knights to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and a pair of PSAC championships.
 
Dunham Triples Her Pleasure vs. Fayetteville State
Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria) saved one of her best efforts of the season for the biggest moment yet of the season. The sophomore guard came off the bench to make 5-of-10 3-pointers to finish with 15 points as Gannon handed Fayetteville State a 72-47 defeat in the Atlantic Regional championship game. The transfer from Mount St. Mary's did all of her damage in just 17 minutes. She leads Gannon with 54 in 152 attempts.  

Gannon Wins Fourth PSAC Championship
Gannon faced a West Chester team that came in riding a 16-game winning streak in the PSAC Semifinals. The Golden Rams led Gannon by a point at 33-32, just the third time this year the Golden Knights trailed at the half. But West Chester had no answers for Samantha Pirosko (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North) all day. Pirosko finished with a monster effort with 40 points and 19 rebounds, both career highs. She even managed four assists. Pirosko made 19-of-20 free throws, going 8-for-8 in the final minute. Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) added 17 points and Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) 10. That left Gannon facing Eastern Division regular season champion Lock Haven in the championship game on their home court. Playing in the PSAC Championship game for the fourth straight year the Golden Knights faced a Lock Haven team riding a nine-game winning streak and undefeated at home. Once again the Bald Eagles were no match for Pirosko and the Golden Knights. Tied at 15-15 after one quarter, Gannon dominated play the next two quarters, outscoring Lock Haven 22-15 in the second quarter and 24-17 in the third. Pirosko had 23 points at the half and would finish the day with 32 points to lead Gannon to an 80-65 win. Three other players – Claxon, Ratliff, and Andrea Maibach (Creston, Ohio/Norwayne) – contributed 10 points apiece. Pirosko was named the PSAC Tournament's MVP.
 
Pirosko Fourth Golden Knight Named PSAC Tournament MVP
Samantha Pirosko (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North) has earned countless awards during her playing career, including two-time All-American and back-to-back PSAC West Athlete of the Year accolades. Just over a week ago the redshirt senior added a new honor to her resume'. Pirosko scored 72 points and grabbed 25 rebounds in the two games at Lock Haven while leading Gannon to its third PSAC title in four years and fourth overall. She becomes the fourth Golden Knight to be named the PSAC Tournament MVP.  

Gannon PSAC Tournament MVPs
2010 – Tiffany Crocker
2020 – Tori Obenrader
2022 -- Emma Wright (Fairview, Pa./Talawanda)
2024 – Samantha Pirosko (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North)
 
Wright, Pirosko Receive Major PSAC Postseason Awards
The PSAC recently announced its postseason award winners with Gannon receiving two of the major awards for the Western Division. Cleve Wright was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year for the third time. He previously earned the honor in 2010 and 2013. Wright has guided Gannon to its third 30-win season at 32-2 with the Golden Knights winning the Western Division regular season title for the fourth time. The Golden Knights are currently ranked third in Division II. Samantha Pirosko (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North) repeated as the PSAC West Athlete of the Year. The 5-foot-10 redshirt senior has climbed into second place in career scoring with 2,249 points and leads the PSAC in scoring at 19.7 ppg. She has scored in double figures in her last 69 games. Pirosko was joined on the All-PSAC West first team by Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster). The sophomore guard was named the PSAC West Freshman of the Year last season. She is averaging 13.3 ppg. and has made 50-of-122 3-pointers.
 
GANNON PSAC WEST ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
2010 -- Kristina Freeman
2013 – Jen Papich
2023 – Samantha Pirosko (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North)
2024 – Samantha Pirosko (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North)   
 
Claxon Joins Pirosko on All-PSAC West First Team
A year ago Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) was named the PSAC West Freshman of the Year after averaging 7.8 ppg. while playing just under 18 minutes per game in a reserve role. This year the sophomore guard stepped into the starting lineup in game number 16 and is currently Gannon's second-leading scorer at 13.3 ppg. while averaging 25 minutes per game.  She joined teammate Samantha Pirosko (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North) on the All-PSAC West first team. Claxon is shooting 47.3 percent from the floor (192-of-406) and has made 50 of 122 3-pointers. She also stands fourth on the team with 44 steals.

Scouting Cal State San Marcos
Cal State San Marcos earned its berth into the Elite Eight with a 73-71 win over Montana State Billings thanks to a pair of free throws by Ava Ranson with four seconds remaining. The Cougars come in at 26-6, a school record for victories. They have run off eight straight wins. Jordan Vasquez, a 6-foot-0 redshirt senior, was named the West Regional MVP, and she was joined on the All-Tournament team by Charity Gallegos. A senior forward, Vasquez was named the CCAA Player of the Year. She is averaging 16.4 ppg. and 11.5 rpg., both team highs. Gallegos joined Vasquez on the All-CCAA first team while Mina Tameilau was a second-team honoree. Gallegos, a junior guard, averages 15.9 ppg., has made 82-of-205 3-pointers, and leads the Cougars with 111 assists. Tameilau scored her 1,000th-career point in the Western Regional final. The 5-foot-8 senior forward is averaging 10.8 ppg. Head coach Renee Jimenez was selected the CCAA Coach of the Year for the fourth time.
 
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Players Mentioned

Emma Wright

#13 Emma Wright

G
5' 11"
Graduate Student
Bri Claxon

#12 Bri Claxon

G
5' 7"
Sophomore
Andrea Maibach

#34 Andrea Maibach

P
6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
Samantha Pirosko

#44 Samantha Pirosko

P
5' 10"
Redshirt Senior
Carissa Dunham

#13 Carissa Dunham

G
5' 7"
Sophomore
Kate Ratliff

#23 Kate Ratliff

G
6' 0"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Emma Wright

#13 Emma Wright

5' 11"
Graduate Student
G
Bri Claxon

#12 Bri Claxon

5' 7"
Sophomore
G
Andrea Maibach

#34 Andrea Maibach

6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
P
Samantha Pirosko

#44 Samantha Pirosko

5' 10"
Redshirt Senior
P
Carissa Dunham

#13 Carissa Dunham

5' 7"
Sophomore
G
Kate Ratliff

#23 Kate Ratliff

6' 0"
Freshman
G