ERIE, Pa. –
Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) delivered a milestone performance as the No. 8 Gannon University women's basketball team rolled to a 66–31 victory over Slippery Rock on Wednesday night inside the Highmark Events Center.
With her 18-point outing, Ratliff became the 33rd Golden Knight in program history to reach the 1,000-career-point mark, highlighting a dominant night on both ends of the floor.
Ratliff entered the evening needing just 15 points to reach the milestone and did so while leading a balanced Gannon attack.
The Golden Knights jumped out to a 15–3 first-quarter lead and never looked back, holding Slippery Rock to just 19.1 percent shooting for the game while earning a season sweep over The Rock.
The contest also served as Gannon's CARE Game, as the Golden Knights partnered with Grandview Elementary School and the AHN Cancer Institute at Saint Vincent to raise awareness and funds in support of cancer patients and research. Grandview Elementary students and staff received admission to the game, helping create a special atmosphere inside the Highmark Events Center.
Gannon controlled the glass and the paint throughout the evening, winning the rebounding battle 44–26 and outscoring The Rock 34–10 inside. The Golden Knights also limited Slippery Rock to just nine made field goals and forced difficult looks all night long.
THE KNIGHT CAP
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Ratliff Reaches 1,000: Finished with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks to become the 33rd Golden Knight in program history to reach the milestone.
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Wheatley in Double Figures: Scored 13 points and added four rebounds in the win.
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Claxon Controls the Glass: Posted 12 points, three assists, one block, and tied a career-high with nine rebounds.
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Popyk Provides Spark: Contributed eight points, two rebounds, and an assist.
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CARE Game Impact: Gannon partnered with Grandview Elementary School and the AHN Cancer Institute at Saint Vincent, with Grandview Elementary students and staff receiving admission to the game.
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Season Sweep Secured: The Golden Knights earned a season sweep over Slippery Rock.
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Series Dominance: Gannon has won 17 of the last 18 meetings with The Rock.
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Regional Rankings: Gannon appeared in the first set of NCAA Division II Atlantic Region rankings.
Up Next
Gannon closes out the home portion of its regular season on Saturday, February 21, hosting Pitt-Johnstown for Senior Day and the Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame Game, sponsored by Sheraton Erie Bayfront. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.inside the Highmark Events Center.
This story was written using the support of AI.
