The Gannon University women’s basketball team lost two more close games against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference foes on the road in the past week, falling to rival Mercyhurst, 56-44, on Jan. 19 and then dropping a 57-50 decision to Mansfield Saturday.
The losses left the Knights with an overall record of 4-15 and a 4-9 mark in PSAC play heading into Wednesday’s 5:30 p.m. matchup with Slippery Rock at the Hammermill Center.
Chelsea Rourke scored 15 points and had six rebounds to pace Gannon in Saturday’s loss at Mansfield.
The Knights used a nice run in the third quarter to build a four-point lead, 38-34, going into the fourth quarter, but they were unable to hold on and lost for the fourth straight time.
Mansfield outscored Gannon 23-12 in the final quarter and sealed the game with a layup with 46 seconds left that gave the host team a five-point lead.
The Knights did have some positive signs, though, as the team produced 18 assists. Julia Braungart had seven of those assists while Maggie Mitchell added four to go with her 10 points.
Lanise Saunders led the way on the boards with 10 rebounds to go with six points.
The Jan. 19 matchup with Mercyhurst was very close throughout the first half, as Gannon trailed by six at halftime, 28-22.
Mitchell and Haley Tewes combined to score 15 points for the Knights before halftime, giving Gannon a chance to win a highly competitive game.
But the host Lakers outscored Gannon 14-9 in the third quarter and left the Knights facing an 11-point deficit going into the final quarter.
Gannon would have a chance at around the two-minute mark in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to four, but could not cash in.
Mitchell led the Knights with 15 points. No one else scored in double figures for Gannon, but Saunders contributed 11 rebounds.
Following Wednesday’s home date with Slippery Rock, the Knights will host Indiana University of Pennsylvania in a 1 p.m. game Saturday at the Hammermill Center as a part of the 2017 Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame induction following the men’s game at 3 p.m.

STEVEN PITCAIRN
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