March 15, 2024/Midnight
The Golden Knights basketball teams have secured the number 1 seed in their region for the NCAA Atlantic Regional. This marks the first year in Gannon’s history for both teams to win PSAC titles in the same year. The men’s team won their first PSAC championship title since 2015.
Gannon’s women’s team brought home the hardware, with a number 1 seed, PSAC West Coach of the Year award, PSAC Tournament MVP award, PSAC Western Division Athlete of the Year, and PSAC West First Team All-Conference honors. This is coach Cleve Wright’s third time winning the award. This was the ninth time one of Wright’s teams qualified for the NCAA tournament.
“They worked so hard. I’m so elated about that and so excited about the way we played today – excited about moving forward. But we’re really going to enjoy this one right now” (Wright).
Redshirt senior Sam Pirosko became the fifth PSAC West player to earn the Athlete of the Year award multiple times. Earlier this season Pirosko accomplished 2000 career points, while also owning two of the top six season scoring totals. Sophomore Bri Claxon was awarded All-PSAC West honors. Last year, Claxon was voted the PSAC West Freshman of the Year.
The Golden Knights women’s team earned their top seed by defeating Lock Haven 80-65. The team has won their third title in the past four PSAC Tournaments. Pirosko helped the Knights by completing one of the best Final Four performances in PSAC history.
First-year head coach for the Gannon men’s basketball team amounted to the biggest turnaround ever in the NCAA and won PSAC West Coach of the Year. The Golden Knights defeated California (PA) 89-74, giving Gannon a season record of 29-2. Sophomore Josh Omojafo scored 22 points in the game against California (PA) earning Tournament MVP Honors.
The first half of the PSAC Championship game for the men’s basketball team had 16 lead changes just within the first half. For the fourth time all season, the Knights were trailing at the half, with a score of 35-35. Less than a minute into the second half Omojafo jumped the Knights to a 37-36 lead. Graduate student Nigel Haughton stole for a 41-36 lead later, still less than five minutes into the second half. However, in the final 2 minutes of the game, Gannon left their mark on the court making 10-of-10 free throws. This gave the third-ranked Knights a massive win, toppling the eighth-ranked California (PA) Vulcans and securing the number one seed entering the Atlantic Regional.
Basketball student-athletes swept Gannon Chick-Fil-A Student-Athletes of the Week honors for week 12, naming women’s team Sam Pirosko, and men’s team Josh Omojafo.
Gannon will host both the men’s and women’s Atlantic Regionals. The NCAA Atlantic Regional Final will take place Friday, March 15 at the Hagerty Family Events Center. The Gannon women’s team will face off against number 8 seed West Virginia State in the second quarterfinal game. The Gannon men’s team will host number 8 seed Lincoln following the women’s games.
The championship games are designated for Tuesday, March 19. The highest remaining seed from the semifinals (Saturday, March 16) will host the championship games.
