Erie, Pa., April 9, 2024- The 2023-2024 Golden Knights women’s basketball team ended their impressive season at the Elite Eight in St. Joeseph Missouri after a close loss to Cal State San Marcos 85-80. The team ended their season as the PSAC West regular-season champions, PSAC tournament champions, Atlantic Regional champions, and with a 35-3 record.
“I think all season we did a good job of just staying focused. We never worried about rankings or the teams we were playing. We focused every day in practice and games of just being the best version of Gannon women’s basketball. So going into the elite 8 we just kept the same mentality because that’s what we did all season long. As for the fuel, we had a taste of a PSAC Championship and Atlantic Region Championship so the possibility of having that feeling again with the national tournament was all the fuel we needed” (Carissa Dunham, Gannon women’s basketball).
The Golden Knights entered the Elite Eight as the No.1 seed against the No. 8 seed Cougars. Gannon led at the half 39-35, with outstanding plays from first-year duo Olivia Cernuto and Kate Ratliff. Cernuto hit a necessary 3-pointer while Ratliff made a layup, helping the Knights lead 47-35 just entering the second half.
However, the Cal State San Marcos Cougars fought back, charging forward late into the third period scoring 59-58. With just over five minutes left in the game, Gannon led 69-64. The Cougars continued to rack up clutch plays, tying the game at 74, and eventually sending the game into overtime.
With just 48 seconds left, the Cougars nailed a 3-pointer from the right wing of the court, burying any further chance of a final comeback for the Knights.
Being able to experience the Elite Eight was super memorable. A send-off from our supporters in the community, a final road trip as a team, a celebration banquet, our hotel being decorated by a local school, community service we took part in, and the atmosphere on the court in St. Joseph, Missouri were great highlights. The game itself was so high intensity and felt like a battle the whole time. Walking off the court for the last time was bittersweet, but I am so glad that my favorite people were right there with me. Sam (Pirosko) and I hugged knowing that we gave this team everything we had and that there is still so much to celebrate. The whole experience was surreal, and I couldn’t be more grateful” (Ali Benim, Gannon women’s basketball).
Sixth-year Sam Pirosko finished her career as the second in Gannon history with 2,293 points, also recording a team-high 26 points at the Elite Eight game. D2CCA named Pirosko as the NCAA Division 2 Ron Lenz National Player of the Year, as well as earning finalist recognition for the Division 2 Honda Athlete of the Year Award. The Knights’s 35 recorded wins were the second most in program history. The team finished fourth overall in the final WBCA poll.
“The goals for next year are for us to make it to further than the elite 8. Having the potential and ability to do so and falling short is the motivation for all of us. It showed us all how much talent we have on this team but more importantly, how well this talent works together can-do amazing things” (Dunham).
“We were fortunate to have so much success throughout the year, but that didn’t come without everyone buying in and making sacrifices for each other. No matter what adversity came, we found a way to overcome it as a team. The season taught each of us many lessons and strengthened our culture more than ever. My teammates this season have left a lasting impression on me. My heart is so full as my career as a Gannon athlete has come to a close” (Benim).
