Bri Claxon and Kate Ratliff vs. IUP

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

Golden Knights Begin Three-Game Road Trip in Search of End to Two-Game Losing Streak

No. 23/NR GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (20-5, 12-4 PSAC West) at SLIPPERY ROCK THE ROCK (7-14, 4-11 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | 5:30 p.m.
HOMECOURT/LOCATION: Morrow Field House l Slippery Rock, Pa.
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THE GANNON-SLIPPERY ROCK SERIES
Gannon leads 46-12
In a series that first began in 1979-80 Gannon has won 14 of the last 15 meetings. The Golden Knights look to sweep the season series for the fifth straight season after posting an 80-55 win over SRU in the first meeting on Jan. 15. A year ago Gannon posted a 74-50 win at Slippery Rock and an 85-45 win at home.
Last Meeting:  Feb. 14, 2024 – at Gannon 80, Slippery Rock 55 I RECAP
Gannon held Slippery Rock to 31.7 percent shooting from the floor (19-of-60) and dominated the glass (55-32). Four of five starters scored in double figures led by Jordan Popyk (Novi, Mich./Novi). The freshman had her first career double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) also scored 16 points and had seven rebounds while Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) totaled 13 points and Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) 12 points and eight rebounds.
 
ERIE, Pa. – A week ago Gannon saw its five-game winning streak come to an end with a 66-53 loss to Edinboro. For three quarters the Golden Knights looked like they had recovered nicely leading Indiana (Pa.) 52-44 on Saturday. But it all fell apart in the fourth quarter as poor shooting and turnovers contributed to a 29-14 quarter for IUP.
 
At the end of the day the Golden Knights dropped a 73-66 decision. It marked the second straight loss for Gannon at home, something that hadn't happened since the 2018-19 season.
 
All is not lost however, although now Gannon embarks on a three-game road trip. They enter Wednesday's game at Slippery Rock with a 20-5 record and have clinched a berth in the PSAC Tournament. The Golden Knights remain ranked in the WBCA Div. II Top 25, now tied for 23rd. Gannon has now won 20-or-more games in five straight full seasons.
 
Slippery Rock looks to snap a six-game losing streak that has left SRU at 7-14 overall and 4-11 in the PSAC West.  
 
Gannon has now made the PSAC Tournament in seven straight full seasons (the PSAC did not hold the tournament in 2020-21). The division is hotly-contested at the top with Seton Hill and Edinboro tied for first at 14-2, Gannon is 12-2 and IUP 11-3.
 
Following Wednesday's game the Golden Knights are back out on the road on Saturday, February 15 playing at Clarion.

The Knight Watch:
Record:  20-5, 12-4 PSAC West
Head Coach: Cleve Wright (17th year at Gannon, 21st overall)
Top Players: Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) (G, 5-7, Jr., 15.4 ppg., 3.6 rpg., 45-of-109 3's, 50 asts., 33 stls.); Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) (G, 6-0, So., 12.8 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 36 stls., 26 blks.); Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) (P, 5-11, R-Jr., 11.4 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 52.9 FG%, 30-of-68 3's); Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria) (G, 5-7, Jr., 7.6 ppg., 50-of-135 3's)
  • Here's something you don't say too often. Gannon looks to snap a two-game losing streak. The Golden Knights are 20-5 and 12-4 in the PSAC West, clinching a berth in the PSAC Tournament for the fifth straight year. But losses to Edinboro and Indiana (Pa.) have left the Golden Knights scrapping to earn a first-round bye in the PSAC Tournament. Gannon is currently two games behind Seton Hill and Edinboro, with IUP nipping at their heels.  The Golden Knights are tied for 23rd in the latest WBCA Div. II Top 25.
  • Lost in the setback to IUP was the fact the Golden Knights played some very good basketball for three quarters. They led 52-44 entering the final ten minutes only to make 2 of 10 shots in the final period with five damaging turnovers.
  • Also lost is that quietly Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) has put together an excellent senior. The redshirt junior was moved from the wing to the post. She is averaging 11.4 ppg. and a team-high 5.5 rpg., while shooting 52.9 percent from the floor and making 30-of-68 3-pointers. The native of Australia led Gannon with 21 points vs. IUP and has scored in double figures in eight of the last ten games.
  • For a period in the third quarter Andrea Maibach (Creston, Ohio/Norwayne) was the Maibach of 2023-24. The 6-foot-2 redshirt sophomore has seen the 2024-25 campaign disrupted by a serious injury that limits her effectiveness. But on Saturday afternoon she entered in the third quarter and proceeded to score six of her eight points in a span of two minutes.
Scouting Slippery Rock
Record:  7-14, 4-11 PSAC West
Head Coach: Ryenn Micaletti (2nd year)
Top Players: Regan Atkins (G, 5-9, So., 11.4 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 42 asts., 24 stls., 21-of-62 3's); Sophia Hook (G, 5-7, So., 10.1 ppg., 4.3 rpg., 32-of-106 3's); Tahmala Thorpe (G, 5-4, Gr., 10.3 ppg., 44 asts.); Kayley Joseph-Bernard (F, 6-0, Jr., 7.3 ppg., 7.6 rpg., 75 asts., 31 stls., 25 blks.)
  • Slippery Rock has made great strides under second- year head coach Ryenn Micaletti after winning just two games a year ago. But at the same time the first meeting with Gannon set SRU off on a six-game losing streak. They came into the Highmark Events Center at 7-8 at the time but have now fallen to 7-14 and 4-11 in the PSAC West.
  • Slippery Rock last played on Saturday, suffering a 79-56 loss to California (Pa.).
  • Regan Atkins has not suffered from a sophomore slump after being named the PSAC West Freshman of the Year a year ago. The 5-foot-9 guard is averaging a team-high 11.4 ppg. with 5.9 rpg. after averaging 15.2 points and 5.4 rebounds as a freshman.
  • Kayley Joseph-Bernard has compiled some interesting statistics. A 6-foot-0 junior who played the last two seasons at Hofstra, she leads Slippery Rock in rebounding (7.6 rpg.). But she is also tops on the team in assists (60), steals (21) and blocks (17). She is averaging 8.5 ppg.
Next for the Golden Knights: Gannon's three-game road swing continues as the Golden Knights play the middle game of the three-game set at Clarion on Saturday, February 12. Tipoff at Tippin Gymnasium is 1:00 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Bri Claxon

#12 Bri Claxon

G
5' 7"
Junior
Carissa Dunham

#13 Carissa Dunham

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
Jordan Popyk

#2 Jordan Popyk

G
6' 2"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Bri Claxon

#12 Bri Claxon

5' 7"
Junior
G
Carissa Dunham

#13 Carissa Dunham

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
Jordan Popyk

#2 Jordan Popyk

6' 2"
Freshman
G