Ernest Shelton vs. SRU
Mike Gallagher

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

Golden Knights End First Half of Western Division Play Hosting Clarion

CLARION GOLDEN EAGLES (9-9, 4-8 PSAC West) at No. 23/9 GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (16-4, 11-1 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, January 29, 2024 | 7:30 p.m.
HOMECOURT/LOCATION: Highmark Events Center l Erie, Pa.
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THE GANNON-CLARION SERIES
Gannon leads 50-13
In a series that first began in 1948-49 Gannon has won the last 17 meetings with Clarion. A year ago the Golden Knights came away with a 95-73 win at Tippin Gymnasium then came back with a 100-81 victory at the Hagerty Family Events Center.
Last Meeting: Feb. 17, 2024 – at Gannon 100, Clarion 81 I RECAP
Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean de Brebeuf) led five players in double figures with 20 points, going 9-of-12 from the line. Mike Montano (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison) posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Golden Knights forced 27 turnovers that led to a 34-13 advantage in points off turnovers.
 

ERIE, Pa. – After losing back-to-back games Saturday games Gannon is looking for better results on Wednesday, January 29 when the Golden Knights host Clarion. Tipoff for the PSAC West contest is 7:30 p.m.
 
The Clarion games concludes the first half of PSAC divisional competition for the Golden Knights, who are 11-1 in league play following Saturday's 79-72 loss at Seton Hill. They are 16-4 overall and were ranked ninth in last week's D2CSC Div. II Top 25 and 23rd in the NABC poll.
 
After winning eight games a year ago Clarion brings a 9-9 record into the Highmark Events Center but are 4-8 in the PSAC West. The Golden Eagles come off an 84-57 loss at Indiana (Pa.) on Saturday.
 
To say that Gannon has enjoyed success against Clarion is an understatement. The Golden Knights have won the last 17 meetings with the Golden Eagles, including 95-73 and 100-81 victories last year.
 
First-year head coach Easton Bazzoli has yet to have his entire roster available for a game this season yet has the Golden Knights out to a four-game lead in the Western Division. On Saturday Gannon was not only without starting guard Justin DeBuck (Broward County, Fla./Pembroke Pines Charter) for a fifth straight qame but was also forced to play without 6-foot-9 sophomore Tasman Goodrick (Sydney, Australia/St. Joseph's College), the team's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer.

The Knight Watch:
Record:  16-4, 11-1 PSAC West
Head Coach: Easton Bazzoli (1st year)
Top Players: Ernest Shelton (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) (G, 6-5, So., 18.6 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 64-of-173 3's, 27 stls., 18 blks.); Tasman Goodrick (Sydney, Australia/St. Joseph's College) (F, 6-9, So., 15.1 ppg., 10.7 rpg., 54.3 FG%, 28 stls., 19 blks.); Pace Prosser (Berlin, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley) (G, 6-2, Fr., 13.8 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 46-of-112 3's, 82 asts., 38 stls.)
  • Gannon suffered its second loss in the last three games on Saturday with a 79-72 loss at Seton Hill. Despite the setback the Golden Knights come in at 16-4 overall and 11-1 in the PSAC West. That is four games better than second place Slippery Rock.
  • First-year head coach Easton Bazzoli's team has battled a host of injuries this year and he has yet to field the entire roster this year. It may have caught up to them at Seton Hill. Starting guard Justin DeBuck (Broward County, Fla./Pembroke Pines Charter), who was averaging 12.6 ppg., has missed the last five games with an injury. On Saturday 6-foot-9 forward Tasman Goodrick (Sydney, Australia/St. Joseph's College) was not available. He is averaging 15.1 ppg. and 10.7 rpg.     
  • Gannon continues to rank as one of the top scoring teams in Division II although that figure has dipped slightly after scoring 70 points at Daemen and 72 at Seton Hill. The Golden Knights average 94.4 ppg., good for fifth in Division II. They are also second in turnovers forced per game (21.75) and eighth in turnover margin. (+6.8)
  • Until recently Mike Montano (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison) was another of the Golden Knights to miss considerable action. After playing the first two games the 6-foot-7 sophomore did not play in the next ten games and saw limited action after that. The last two games he has been the player Gannon fans loved a year ago. He stepped up at Seton Hill with Goodrick out, contributing a season-high 20 points and seven rebounds. He made 9-of-11 field goals. Last Wednesday he had 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists vs. Pitt-Johnstown.
  • Ernest Shelton (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) continues to lead the Golden Knights in scoring at 18.6 ppg. good for sixth in the PSAC in scoring. He has made 64-of-173 3-pointers, leading the PSAC in 3-pointers made per game (3.2). That ranks 22nd nationally.
Scouting Clarion
Record: 9-9, 4-8 PSAC West        
Head Coach: Damian Pitts (6th year)
Top Players: Cam Kearney (G, 6-6, Jr., 21.6 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 23-of-50 3's, 106-of-127 FTs); Jeremy Thomas II (F, 6-5, R-So., 11.7 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 54.3 FG%, 24 blks.); Gavin Cote (G, 6-5, R-So., 10.1 ppg., 45-of-132 3's); Justice Easter (G, 6-5, Jr., 9.4 ppg., 5.0 rpg., 43 asts.); Trey Nelson (G, 6-0, Jr., 8.3 ppg., 100 asts., 29 stls., 22-of-54 3's)
  • Clarion has already eclipsed last year's win total when the Golden Eagles finished at 8-20. They were picked to finish seventh in the PSAC West preseason poll but come in at 9-9, although just 4-8 in conference play.
  • Damian Pitts has built an impressive group of young players, led by Cam Kearney. A 6-foot-6 junior, Kearney is second in the PSAC in scoring at 21.6 ppg. Kearney was a second team All-PSAC West selection last year when he averaged 16.6 ppg. He has 1,135 career points.
  • Trey Nelson, a 6-foot-0 junior, has 100 assists and leads  the PSAC in assists per game (5.6). Gavin Cote is one of the top 3-point threats in the conference, making 45-of-132.
 
Next for the Golden Knights: Gannon begins second half play in the Western Division with a rematch at California (Pa.) on Saturday, February 1. Tipoff is 3:00 p.m. The Golden Knights posted a 108-71 win over a short-handed Vulcans team at the Hagerty Family Events Center on Jan. 4.  
 
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Players Mentioned

Josh Omojafo

#4 Josh Omojafo

G
6' 5"
Sophomore
Mike Montano

#1 Mike Montano

G/F
6' 7"
Sophomore
Ernest Shelton

#4 Ernest Shelton

G
6' 5"
Sophomore
Justin DeBuck

#5 Justin DeBuck

G
6' 1"
Graduate Student
Pace Prosser

#22 Pace Prosser

G
6' 2"
Freshman
Tasman Goodrick

#23 Tasman Goodrick

F
6' 9"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Josh Omojafo

#4 Josh Omojafo

6' 5"
Sophomore
G
Mike Montano

#1 Mike Montano

6' 7"
Sophomore
G/F
Ernest Shelton

#4 Ernest Shelton

6' 5"
Sophomore
G
Justin DeBuck

#5 Justin DeBuck

6' 1"
Graduate Student
G
Pace Prosser

#22 Pace Prosser

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Tasman Goodrick

#23 Tasman Goodrick

6' 9"
Sophomore
F