Great teams don't stay down long, and the No. 5 Gannon Women's Basketball team proved that on Sunday.

Less than 24 hours after a narrow setback to Northern Michigan on Day 2, the Golden Knights stormed back. They took down No. 4 North Georgia 70–55, closing the weekend at 2–1 and leaving the final day of the 2025 CCA Women's Division II Tip-Off Classic presented by AHN Sports Medicine with one of the event's defining wins.

After North Georgia opened the scoring, Gannon took control with a 21–7 first quarter and never surrendered the lead again.

Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting while knocking down three from beyond the arc. Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) followed with 13 points and five assists, while Mia Slater (Canberra, Australia/Canberra Grammar School) provided 11 key points off the bench. 
Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) anchored the interior with eight rebounds, helping Gannon shoot 53% from the field and 42% from deep while holding North Georgia to just 31% shooting.

Gannon not only closed the weekend strong, but they've now defeated two teams ranked ahead of them in the WBCA Preseason Poll, knocking off No. 2 Union (66-51) in the season/home opener and No. 4 North Georgia on Sunday.

THE GAME FACTS
Score: Gannon 70, North Georgia 55
Records: Gannon (2–1), North Georgia (1–2)
Location: Highmark Events Center – Erie, Pa.
Date: November 9, 2025

THE KNIGHT CAP

• Top-Five Statement: Gannon knocks off No. 4 North Georgia to finish the event 2–1.
• Fast Start: A dominant 21–7 first quarter set the tone and never loosened.
• Claxon Leads: Game-high 23 points with shot-making in every momentum stretch.
• Ratliff Orchestrates: 13 points and 5 assists, guiding the offense.
• Bench Impact: Slater adds 11 while providing energy and scoring punch.
• Interior Presence: Wheatley controls the glass with 8 rebounds.
• Efficiency Edge: Gannon shoots 53% FG and 42% 3PT while holding UNG to 31%.

 
Up Next 
The Golden Knights return to the Highmark Events Center next weekend to host the Atlantic Region Crossover, taking on Davis & Elkins on Saturday, November 15 at 6:00 p.m. and Charleston (W.Va.) on Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m.
 
This story was written using the support of AI.