Bri Claxon vs. IUP
76
Winner Gannon Gannon 23-5,15-4 PSAC
41
Pitt.-Johnstown Pitt-J 3-23,1-18 PSAC
Winner
Gannon Gannon
23-5,15-4 PSAC
76
Final
41
Pitt.-Johnstown Pitt-J
3-23,1-18 PSAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Gannon Gannon 22 21 14 19 76
Pitt.-Johnstown Pitt-J 12 7 10 12 41

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Golden Knights Enjoy Top Shooting Day of Season in 76-41 Win at UPJ

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The Gannon women's basketball team wrapped up a three-game road trip with a third straight win, winning at Pitt-Johnstown 76-41. The Golden Knights, ranked 22nd in the latest WBCA Div. II Top 25 and 25th in the D2CSC poll, combined strong shooting and a normal dominating defensive effort to improve to 23-5 and 15-4 in the PSAC West. UPJ dropped to 3-23 and 1-18, respectively.

Gannon never trailed in the game while defeating the Mountain Cats for the 22nd time in the last 24 meetings. The Golden Knights opened the game with an 11-2 run and led 43-19 at the half. They ended the game shooting a season-high 57.7 from the floor while limiting UPJ to 28.6 pct.

Head coach Cleve Wright's squad entered the game ranked first in the PSAC in scoring defense and second in field goal percentage defense. The Golden Knights have now held nine opponents to less than 50 points and 16 to less than 60 points. UPJ reached 40 points on a 3-pointers at the final buzzer.

Gannon has one game remaining, hosting Seton Hill on Saturday, March 1. It will be Senior Day with Trinitee Harris (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Central) and Andrea Maibach (Creston, Ohio/Norwayne) honored after the game. The game could play a huge role in the PSAC West seeding.   

Gannon jumped out to a quick 11-2 lead. The Mountain Cats would close the gap to 16-10 but the Golden Knights made back-to-back three's for a 22-12 after one quarter. Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria) hit the first and Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) drained a long 3-pointer from the top of the key as the buzzer sounded. Gannon sizzled from the floor in the first quarter, making 9-of-11 shots, including 4-of-6 3-pointers, but was guilty of six turnovers.

The second quarter started off differently, with the Golde Knights going more than two minutes without a score before Andrea Maibach (Creston, Ohio/Norwayne) gathered in a missed shot and scored on a layup.

The lead would grow to 18 points at 34-16 on another Dunham three, but UPJ answered with a three of its own with 4:11 left in the quarter. The Mountain Cats would not score again as Gannon closed the half with the final nine points for a 43-19 lead. Gannon continued to enjoy a hot-shooting day, ending the half at 65.2 percent (15-of-23), including 6-of-11 on 3-pointers. UPJ was held to 24.2 percent (8-of-33).

Gannon extended its lead to 57-29 after three quarters while continuing to great defense as UPJ was 3-of-12 in the quarter.  The lead grew to as many as 38 points in the final minute at 76-38 as Gannon at one point scored

BY THE NUMBERS
After shooting over 65 percent in the first quarter Gannon ended the game at a season-high 57.7 percent percent (30-of-52), making 9-of-20 3-pointers. In addition the Golden Knights were 7-of-11 at the line. UPJ was held to 28.6 percent from the floor (16-of-56), including 3-of-15 on 3-pointers, and went 6-of-8 at the line.

Gannon dominated the glass 40-24 and after a slow start committed 16 turnovers compared to 15 for the Mountain Cats.  

Ten different Golden Knights found the scoring column, with four scoring in double figures. Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) led the way with 15 points, making 5-of-7 field goals, including a 3-pointer, and going 4-for-4 at the line. Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) also made 5-of-7 shots including a three to finish with 11 points. Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria) came off the bench to also score 11 points in 14 minutes, making 3-of-4 3-pointers. Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) added 10 points, four assists and three

Andrea Maibach (Creston, Ohio/Norwayne) was another reserve to play well, ending the day with nine points and eight rebounds in 12 minutes.

NEXT FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS
It's Senior Day as Gannon hosts Seton Hill on Saturday, March 1. Tipoff is at 1:00 p.m. at the Highmark Events Center with Trinitee Harris (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Central) and Andrea Maibach (Creston, Ohio/Norwayne) to be recognized following the game.
 
 
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