Taylor Ethridge vs. Edinboro

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

No. 23 Gannon Continues Road Trip at Clarion

No. 23/NR GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (21-5, 13-4 PSAC West) at CLARION GOLDEN EAGLES (13-12, 7-10 PSAC West)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, February 15, 2025 | 1:00 p.m.
HOMECOURT/LOCATION: Tippin Gymnasium l Clarion, Pa.
LIVE STATS
LIVE VIDEO


THE GANNON-CLARION SERIES
Gannon leads 51-15 
Gannon has won the last 16 meetings with Clarion and 34 of the last 35 meetings. The Golden Knights avoided an upset at Clarion in the first meeting last year, coming away with a 54-44 victory, then coasted to a 72-38 victory at the Highmark Events Center. Gannon captured this year's first meeting 71-56.

Last Meeting:  Jan. 29, 2025 – at Gannon 71, Clarion 56 I RECAP
Gannon held a slim 14-13 lead after one quarter but the Golden Knights exploded for 27 points in the second quarter to take a 41-29 lead at the half. Eleven different players scored, with Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) leading the way with 17 points. Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria) came off the bench to make 3-of-4 3-pointers and finish with 13 points. The Gannon defense limited Clarion to 35.1 percent from the floor and forced 21 turnovers. The Golden Knights won despite committing 26 turnovers. 
 
 
ERIE, Pa. – Gannon opened up a three-game road trip with an impressive 81-40 win at Slippery Rock on Wednesday. The win came following a rarity for a Cleve Wright-coached team – back-to-back losses, and at home no less.
 
The Golden Knights improved to 21-5 and are 13-4 in the PSAC West. The top of the Western Division is highly competitive and with three games remaining in the regular season Gannon looks to gain one of the top two spots and a first round bye. The Golden Knights are tied for 23rd in the latest WBCA Division II Top 25.
 
Edinboro and Seton Hill are tied for first place with 14-2 records. Indiana (Pa.) sits at 12-3 while California (Pa.) in in fifth place at 10-7. Saturday's opponent, Clarion, holds down the final spot in the Western Division at 7-10 and can clinch the final berth with a win or a Slippery Rock loss.
 
After back-to-back losses Gannon came out on a mission at Slippery Rock. The Golden Knights scored the first 17 points of the game and held a 25-5 lead after one quarter. Leading 58-33 after three quarters the Golden Knights opened the final quarter with a 19-0 run.
 
Clarion comes in with a 13-12 record, a far cry from last year's 1-27 finish. The Golden Eagles are a youthful team that relies on several freshmen and sophomores. Clarion dropped an 81-53 decision to California (Pa.) on Wednesday and has now lost two straight games and six of the last seven.
 
Following Saturday's game at Clarion the Golden Knights play at Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday, February 22 for the final road game of the regular season. They conclude the regular season hosting Seton Hill for Senior Day on Saturday, March 1.

The Knight Watch:
Record:  21-5, 13-4 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., 15.3 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 48-of-116 3's, 53 asts., 35 stls.); Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) (G, 6-0, So., 13.0 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 41 stls., 27 blks.); Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) (P, 5-11, R-Jr., 11.5 ppg., 5.4 rpg., 53.1 FG%, 31-of-70 3's); Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria) (G, 5-7, Jr., 7.8 ppg., 54-of-141 3's)
  • Gannon has qualified for the PSAC Tournament for the seventh straight year while posting its fifth straight full season with 20-or-more wins. The Golden Knights are 21-5 and tied or 23rd in the latest WBCA Division II Top 25.
  • More importantly the Golden Knights are 13-4 in the PSAC West. While they've qualified for the PSAC Tournament, they are currently in third place in the division. They are assured of hosting a first round game but are looking to climb into one of the top two spots and earn a first round bye.
  • Defense has always been Gannon's calling card under head coach Cleve Wright. This year's edition is allowing 56.3 ppg. and holding opponents to 35.3 percent shooting. Gannon leads the PSAC and ranks 29th in Division II in scoring along with second in the conference and 24th nationally in field goal percentage defense. The Golden Knights have held eight opponents to less than 50 points and 14 to less than 60 points.
  • Gannon comes off an 81-40 win at Slippery Rock on Wednesday. The Golden Knights scored the first 17 points of the game and led 25-5 at the end of the first quarter. Then they ran off the first 19 points of the fourth quarter.
  • Five players scored in double figures led by Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) with 19 points. Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) added 15 points, 11 coming in the first quarter, along with nine rebounds. Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) finished with 13 points and six assists.
  • The bench added two players in double digits. Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria) made 4-of-6 3-pointers for 12 points and Mia Slater (Canberra, Australia/Canberra Grammar School) added 10 points.
Scouting Clarion
Record:  13-12, 7-10 PSAC West
Head Coach: Danielle Fleming (2nd year)
Top Players: Autumn Taylor (G, 5-7, So., 15.3 ppg., 39 asts., 27 stls., 51-of-172 3's); Arianna Seitz (G, 6-0, Fr., 11.4 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 36 stls., 26-of-83 3's); Zoe Guice (G, 5-7, Fr., 8.6 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 59 asts., 78 stls.); Hannah Wilkerson (G, 5-8, Jr., 8.1 ppg., 3.3 rpg.)
  • Danielle Fleming has guided Clarion to a huge turnaround in her second season. The Golden Eagles were 1-27 a year ago and picked to finish eighth in the PSAC West. They come in at 13-12, the most wins since the 2016-17 team finished at 15-14.
  • A year ago Autumn Taylor led Clarion in scoring as a freshman at 11.0 ppg. The 5-7 sophomore has boosted that number to 15.3 ppg. this year and has made 51-of-172 3-pointers.
  • Clarion relies on a youthful roster featuring five freshmen, two of whom are starters. The Golden Eagles are third in the PSAC in scoring at 72.8 ppg., with nine games scoring 80-or-more points. However, over the last six games they haven't scored more than 64 points.
  • Arianna Seitz, one of those freshmen, is second on the team in scoring at 11.4 ppg. The other freshman in the starting lineup, Zoe Guice, paces the team in both assists (59) and steals (78). 
NEXT FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Gannon plays its final road game of the regular season on Saturday, February 22 at Pitt-Johnstown. It wraps up a string of three straight games on the road.
 
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Players Mentioned

Bri Claxon

#12 Bri Claxon

G
5' 7"
Junior
Carissa Dunham

#13 Carissa Dunham

G
5' 7"
Junior
Kate Ratliff

#23 Kate Ratliff

G
6' 0"
Sophomore
Mia Slater

#25 Mia Slater

P
6' 2"
Sophomore
Maddy Wheatley

#4 Maddy Wheatley

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

Players Mentioned

Bri Claxon

#12 Bri Claxon

5' 7"
Junior
G
Carissa Dunham

#13 Carissa Dunham

5' 7"
Junior
G
Kate Ratliff

#23 Kate Ratliff

6' 0"
Sophomore
G
Mia Slater

#25 Mia Slater

6' 2"
Sophomore
P
Maddy Wheatley

#4 Maddy Wheatley

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