Exciting times surround Gannon Golden Knights Athletics as the 2026 calendar year opened with a perfect 5–0 start, setting the tone for a pivotal week ahead. Gannon's nationally ranked basketball programs continue PSAC play, while women's wrestling heads to Iowa for the National Duals and men's wrestling prepares for another ranked showdown on the national stage.
Below is a look at the week ahead.
No. 5 Women's Basketball (14–1, 6–0 PSAC)
Wednesday, January 7 at Edinboro (9-6, 6-0 PSAC)
5:30 p.m. | McComb Fieldhouse | Edinboro, Pa.
Saturday, January 10 at California (Pa.) (8-8, 4-2 PSAC)
1:00 p.m. | Convocation Center | California, Pa.
No. 5 Gannon enters the week riding a 13-game winning streak after wrapping up PSAC crossover action by celebrating Head Coach
Cleve Wright's 400th win at Gannon with a commanding 62–30 victory over Shippensburg, followed by a 74–51 win over Lock Haven in a matchup between two teams projected to finish first in their respective PSAC divisions.
The Golden Knights rank second in Division II in scoring defense, limiting opponents to just 48.8 points per game, and are one of only four teams in the conference still unbeaten in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play.
Gannon returns to action Wednesday against Erie County rival Edinboro Fighting Scots, with both teams entering the contest undefeated at 6–0 in PSAC action. Gannon holds a narrow 31–30 edge in the all-time series and, prior to last season, had won eight straight meetings.
Edinboro brings an eight-game winning streak into the matchup, while Gannon looks to extend its current 13-game run. The contest features two of the PSAC's four remaining unbeaten teams, alongside IUP and Seton Hill.
The Golden Knights conclude their two-game road swing Saturday at California (Pa.), where they hold a 30–25 advantage in the all-time series. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. as the Vulcans enter the matchup 4–2 in PSAC play.
No. 10 Men's Basketball (12–1, 6–0 PSAC)
Wednesday, January 7 at Edinboro (7-5, 4-2 PSAC)
7:30 p.m. | McComb Fieldhouse | Edinboro, Pa.
Saturday, January 10 at California (Pa.) (9-4, 6-0 PSAC)
3:00 p.m. | Convocation Center | California, Pa.
No. 10 Gannon continues PSAC play after opening the 2026 calendar year with back-to-back wins over Shippensburg and Lock Haven in crossover action. The Golden Knights improved to 12–1 overall and 6–0 in conference play, extending their win streak to nine and remaining one of just three unbeaten PSAC teams, alongside Seton Hill and California (Pa.).
Gannon ranks tied for second nationally in scoring offense at 96.0 points per game and leads Division II in fast-break scoring, averaging 24.0 points per contest.
Lucas Sekasi (Washington, DC/Jackson-Reed) led the offense over the weekend, highlighted by a career-high 20 points against Lock Haven.
The Golden Knights travel to Edinboro on Wednesday, holding a commanding 78–42 series advantage after sweeping the Fighting Scots last season. One year ago, Gannon erased a 21-point deficit and closed the game on a 30–1 run to earn a 100–84 comeback victory at McComb Fieldhouse.
Gannon closes the week Saturday at California (Pa.), where the teams split the season series a year ago, and Gannon holds a 25–21 edge in the all-time series. Both matchups are rivalry contests known for physical, high-intensity play.
No. 17 Women's Wrestling (6–3)
NWCA National Duals | Friday–Saturday, January 9–10 |UNI-Dome | Cedar Falls, Iowa
Gannon will be one of 16 teams competing in the NCAA Women's bracket at the 2026 NWCA/USMC National Dual Meet Championships, hosted by the University of Northern Iowa. The Golden Knights open the event Friday at 2:30 p.m. against second-seeded McKendree.
Head coach Erin Vandiver's squad enters the national event with a 6–3 dual record and is ranked 17th in the latest national team dual rankings. McKendree is ranked second in a loaded field that includes defending champion Iowa, runner-up North Central, and fellow top-eight seeds Grand Valley State, King, Presbyterian, Colorado Mesa, and Fort Hays State.
Senior Lili Ujfalvi (Kecskemet-heteny, Hungary/Bolyai Janos Secondary School) has already etched her name atop the program record book, owning the Gannon career wins record with a 91–40 overall mark. She enters the National Duals with a 15–8 record this season and continues to build on a historic Golden Knight career. Former Golden Knight Annabelle Helm (2019–24) previously held the program standard, finishing her career with a 90–37 overall record.
The Golden Knights last competed at the National Duals during the 2023–24 season, finishing 1–3. Gannon's lineup features multiple nationally ranked individuals, including Jada Badayos-Chaves (Odenton, Md./Arundel High) (15th, 103), Sierra Chiesa (West Springfield, Pa./Northwestern) (7th, 131), Rose Cassioppi (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) (14th, 160), and Bella Phillips (Bellingham, Wash./Squalicum High School) (8th, 180).
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No. 16 Men's Wrestling (4–1)
Saturday, January 10 at Lake Erie (3-2)
2:00 p.m. | Jerome T. Osborne Center | Painesville, Ohio
Tom Boyd's squad is coming off a statement performance on Sunday, January 4, as the Golden Knights delivered a dominant 40–3 victory over seventh-ranked Glenville State. Entering the dual ranked 16th nationally, the decisive win stands as one of Gannon's most impressive performances of the season.
The Golden Knights now turn their attention to another nationally ranked opponent with a road trip to 20th-ranked Lake Erie. Gannon's projected lineup includes multiple nationally ranked wrestlers:
Logan Sallot (Erie, PA/McDowell High School) (6th, 125),
Jerry Echevarria (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach) (3rd, 133),
Jake Niffenegger (Mason, Ohio/La Salle) (8th, 141),
Kenny Kiser (Meadville, Pa./Saegertown) (5th, 149), Grant Mackay (9th, 165), Pat Jackson (6th, 184),
Joey Lyons (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) (11th, 197), and top-ranked heavyweight
Dorian Crosby (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) (No. 1, 285).
Lake Erie enters the weekend coming off a 35–6 dual victory over No. 21 West Liberty and counters with one nationally ranked wrestler, Vinny Scaramuzzino (184).
