2011-12 season: 22-7 record (18-4 PSAC); second in PSAC West. The Knights reached the second round of NCAA tournament by beating Johnson C. Smith University, 61-50, losing to Shaw University, 64-59.
Key Players lost: Caitlyn Lowe, guard, averaged 11.7 points per game, led Gannon with 82 3-pointers.
Projected Starting Lineup (2011-12 statistics):
PG — Kelley Sundberg, junior (29.7 minutes per game, 6.4 points, 5.5 assists)
G — Mollie Sebald, sophomore (18.8 minutes, 5.8 points, .449 field goal percentage)
G — Doriyon Glass, sophomore (19.8 minutes, 6.2 points, 4.6 rebounds)
F — Netti Blake, sophomore (22.1 minutes, 10 points, 6.7 rebounds, .473 field goal percentage)
F — Jennifer Papich, junior (28 minutes, 14.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, .472 field goal percentage)
Top Reserves:
G — Kelsey McCoy, senior (17.6 minutes, 5.2 points), G — Brittany Batts (15 minutes, 5.7 points, 42 3-pointers)
Key Games (opponents’ 2011-12 record):
Edinboro (29-2 overall, 21-1 PSAC) — Home: Jan. 16; Away: Feb. 13
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (22-6, 17-5) — Home: Dec. 8; Away: Feb. 6
Mercyhurst (12-14, 10-12) — Home; Jan. 23; Feb. 20
Bloomsburg (26-6, 18-4) — Home: Jan. 4
Outlook:
Gannon is off to a solid start to the season, having won two out of three at the Disney Tip-Off Classic this weekend. The Knights debuted by soundly defeating No. 8-ranked University of California-San Diego and stuck around in a 70-59 loss to No. 1 Ashland University.
The 14th-ranked Knights return a young but extremely talented core, led preseason All-PSAC Western Division selections Kelley Sundberg and Jennifer Papich.
Coach Cleve Wright said the Knights are excited to grow this season.
“It’s a very hard-working team with great ability,” he said. “It’s important that we grow with hard work and discipline.”
The Knights ended last season ranked No. 21 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, losing to eventual champion Shaw. But Wright said his team can’t get caught up with expectations.
“Our priority right now is to have a great practice tomorrow,” he said. “Because when you look ahead, you get lost.”
