Maddy Wheatley vs. Cal
Joe Mattis

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

Women's Basketball Game Preview: Nationally-Ranked Rivals Meet as Gannon Plays at IUP

No. 9/10 GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (14-2, 6-1 PSAC West) at NR/No. 19 INDIANA (PA) CRIMSON HAWKS (12-1, 7-0 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 | 5:30 p.m.
HOMECOURT/LOCATION: Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex l Indiana, Pa.
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THE GANNON-IUP SERIES
IUP leads 27-23
Gannon had won three straight meetings vs. the Crimson Hawks before IUP edged the Golden Knights 53-52 at the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex in last year's second meeting. Gannon prevailed 68-52 in the first meeting and swept the Crimson Hawks in 2022-23. The series first began in 1979-80.
Last Meeting:  Feb. 10, 2024 – at Indiana (Pa.) 53, Gannon 52 I RECAP
Maria Cerro made the second of two free throws with 1:29 remaining for the winning point as IUP snapped Gannon's 21-game winning streak. Neither team scored the rest of the way as Gannon had two turnovers and missed two shots after that. Sam Pirosko had 23 points and 11 rebounds but no other Golden Knight reached double figures. The Golden Knights shot just 33.9 percent from the floor. Nyshae' Weaver had a double-double for the Crimson Hawks with 17 points and rebounds. IUP shot 40.4 pct. From the floor.  
 
 
ERIE, Pa. – After holding off California (Pa.) 71-62 on Saturday the Gannon women's basketball team now looks to defeat another of the upper echelon of the PSAC West. The Golden Knights travel to Indiana (Pa.) on Wednesday, January 8 to face the Crimson Hawks at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
 
This continues a huge eight day stretch for the Golden Knights. After defeating California (Pa.) on Saturday they now face IUP on Wednesday before making the short journey down I-79 to play at Edinboro on Saturday, January 11.
 
Gannon was chosen the preseason favorite in the Western Division, with Cal second and IUP third. Both Gannon and IUP are off to fast starts, with the Golden Knights at 14-2 overall and 6-1 in the PSAC West. IUP has an 12-1 record and is 7-0 in the PSAC. Both teams were chosen for the NCAA Atlantic Regional last year. Gannon is ranked ninth in the WBCA Division II Top 25 and tenth in the D2CCA poll. IUP holds down 19th place in the D2CCA Top 25.
 
IUP is never an easy place to win. The Crimson Hawks are undefeated at home at 7-0. Their lone loss was a 68-54 decision at No. 21 Ashland on Dec. 19, snapping a nine-game winning streak to start the season. Gannon had won three straight games at the Kovalchick Conference and Athletic Center before losing last year.
 
Head coach Cleve Wright has been forced to piece together a lineup with injuries at one point sapping Gannon of three starters. Post player Andrea Maibach (Creston, Ohio/Norwayne) has now missed the last seven games. Point guard Olivia Cernuto (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) has missed the last three games. Add in Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) sitting out four games and Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) one and the 14-2 record is even more amazing.
 
Gannon is playing the first of back-to-back road games before returning home to host Slippery Rock on Wednesday, January 15. That game will be played at the newly-renovated Highmark Events Center, the first since December 19, 2023.

The Knight Watch:
Record:  14-2, 6-1 PSAC West
Head Coach: Cleve Wright (17th year at Gannon, 21st overall)
  • Like IUP, Gannon opened the season with nine straight wins, climbing as high as second in the national rankings, before losing at Ohio Dominican. The Golden Knights then ran off four straight wins before ending 2024 with a 69-67 loss at Lock Haven on a pair of LHU free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining.
  • 2025, and the PSAC West campaign, began on Saturday with a 71-62 win over California (Pa.). The victory boosted Gannon to 14-2 overall and 6-1 in the PSAC West. The Golden Knights were ninth in the latest WBCA Top 25 released on Tuesday and moved up one spot to 10th in the D2CCA poll.
  • While battling a host of injuries one thing has remained constant – strong defensive play. Gannon is allowing just 55.4 ppg., ranking second in the PSAC and 28th in Division II. Prior to allowing 69 points to Lock Haven the Golden Knights had allowed 44, 52, and 44 points in the previous three games. They have allowed less than 60 points in seven games this year. Gannon is third in the PSAC and 22nd nationally in field goal percentage defense (34.2 pct.). Cal shot just 30.8 percent from the floor on Saturday.
  • Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) leads the Golden Knights in scoring at 16.6 ppg., good for sixth in the PSAC. The junior guard recently became the 32nd Golden Knight to top 1,000 career points and her total now stands at 1,029 career points. Claxon is shooting 49.3 percent from the floor and has made 30-of-66 3-pointers. She was a first team All-PSAC West selection last year and was the 2022 PSAC West Freshman of the Year.
  • Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) is rounding back in to form after missing four games with an injury. The 6-foot-0 sophomore guard led Gannon with 19 points against California (Pa.), making 11-of-12 free throws. She is averaging 13.8 ppg. and 5.3 rpg.
  • Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) comes off a strong effort against the Vulcans, as well, totaling 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds. The redshirt junior is averaging 9.9 ppg. and 5.0 rpg. She is now playing in the post after previously playing on the wing. 
Scouting Indiana (Pa.)
Record:  12-1, 7-0 PSAC West
Head Coach: Craig Carey (3rd year)
Top Players: Nyshae' Weaver (F, 6-0, Jr., 15.5 ppg., 10.8 rpg., 17 stls., 10 blks.); Shamia Strayhorn (G, 5-8, Sr., 13.7 ppg., 36 asts.); Ellie Wilkerson (G/F, 5-9, Jr., 10.6 ppg., 3.8 rpg.)
  • Indiana (Pa.) was picked to finish third in the PSAC West preseason poll after finishing with a 21-8 record and earning a berth in the Atlantic Regional. The Crimson Hawks got off to a fast start with nine straight victories before suffering a 68-54 loss at No. 21 Ashland on Dec. 19.
  • Head coach Craig Carey is in his third season as head coach. He picked up his 50th win last Friday with a 77-74 win vs. Daemen. On Monday the Crimson Hawks posted an impressive 83-70 win at Edinboro. That gave IUP a 12-1 overall record and 7-0 in the PSAC West. The Crismon Hawks are ranked 19th in the D2CCA Top 25.  
  • Nyshae' Weaver paced IUP with 17 points and 14 rebounds at Edinboro. The 6-foot-0 junior was named the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week on Tuesday. The former Alderson Broaddus transfer was a second team All-PSAC West selection a year ago and is currently averaging a double-double at 15.5 ppg. and 10.8 rpg. She is third in the PSAC in rebounding.
  • IUP swept the PSAC West weekly honors as Ellie Wilkerson was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week. A 5-foot-9 junior, the Georgetown College transfer is averaging 8.5 ppg. She had 20 points vs. Daemen and 15 at Edinboro.
  • Shamia Strayhorn, another transfer, adds 13.7 ppg. after transferring from Wheeling.
Next for the Golden Knights: Gannon plays the second of back-to-back road games, be it a short journey down I-79. The Golden Knights play at Edinboro on Saturday, January 11 with tipoff at McComb Fieldhouse set for 1:00 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Olivia Cernuto

#5 Olivia Cernuto

G
5' 7"
Sophomore
Bri Claxon

#12 Bri Claxon

G
5' 7"
Junior
Andrea Maibach

#34 Andrea Maibach

P
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Kate Ratliff

#23 Kate Ratliff

G
6' 0"
Sophomore
Maddy Wheatley

#4 Maddy Wheatley

G
5' 11"
Redshirt Junior
Freshwater/Marine Biology and Environmental Science

Players Mentioned

Olivia Cernuto

#5 Olivia Cernuto

5' 7"
Sophomore
G
Bri Claxon

#12 Bri Claxon

5' 7"
Junior
G
Andrea Maibach

#34 Andrea Maibach

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
P
Kate Ratliff

#23 Kate Ratliff

6' 0"
Sophomore
G
Maddy Wheatley

#4 Maddy Wheatley

5' 11"
Redshirt Junior
Freshwater/Marine Biology and Environmental Science
G