ERIE, Pa. – The No. 5 Gannon women's basketball team saw its run in the PSAC Tournament come to an end Sunday afternoon, falling to Indiana (Pa.), 61–57 in the PSAC Championship game at the Highmark Events Center.
Gannon battled throughout the contest and held a 24–16 advantage at halftime after limiting the Crimson Hawks to just six points in the second quarter.
Indiana (Pa.) responded with a strong third quarter, outscoring the Golden Knights 24–9 to take a seven-point lead into the final period.
The Golden Knights fought back in the fourth quarter behind
Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) and
Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster), trimming the deficit to one point in the final seconds. Indiana (Pa.) converted free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Ratliff led the Golden Knights with 21 points while grabbing six rebounds and adding three steals. Claxon added 14 points and three assists, while
Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) finished with eight points and four rebounds.
Mia Slater (Canberra, Australia/Canberra Grammar School) contributed five points and seven rebounds off the bench while
Lauren Kingsley (Pavilion, N.Y./Pavilion) added five points for the Golden Knights.
THE GAME FACTS
Score: No. 10 Indiana (Pa.) 61, No. 5 Gannon 57
Records: Gannon (28-4), Indiana (Pa.) (26-3)
Location: Highmark Events Center – Erie, Pa.
Date: March 8, 2026
THE KNIGHT CAP
- Ratliff Leads Gannon: Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) finished with 21 points, six rebounds and three steals.
- Claxon Adds 14: Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) added 14 points and three assists for the Golden Knights.
- Halftime Advantage: Gannon held a 24–16 lead at halftime after holding IUP to six second-quarter points.
- Third Quarter Swing: Indiana (Pa.) used a 24–9 third quarter to take control of the game.
- Battle to the End: The Golden Knights trimmed the deficit to one point in the final seconds before IUP sealed the win at the free-throw line.
- Free Throws: Gannon finished 14-for-28 from the free-throw line.
Up Next
Gannon will now await the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Selection Show to determine the field for the Atlantic Regional.
This story was written using the support of AI.