The Gannon University women’s basketball team beat Clarion 72-45 Wednesday, but defensive woes caused the Knights to drop an away game at Indiana University of Pennsylvania 74-51 Saturday.
The Knights used a balanced team offense in the win over Clarion. Gannon had 10 players tally points in the victory. Senior forward Nettie Blake led the team with 12 points while securing eight rebounds.
The Knights’ balanced team effort didn’t translate to Gannon’s road matchup at IUP.
Each of the three games where the Knights’ defense was not getting the job done, they allowed their opponent to reach 70 points or more, and Gannon suffered losses in each. IUP shot 50 percent from the field compared to Gannon’s season low of 27 percent.
Gannon struggled to score at IUP’s Kovalchick Complex with only one player in double figures, as Mollie Sebald scored 11 points. Blake corralled a game-high 14 rebounds to go along with nine points.
The Knights did outrebound the conference’s elite in rebounding, IUP, 47-34. Gannon is ranked seventh in the PSAC in scoring but 15th in scoring defense.
If the Knights get things together on defense, games could easily be back to the Maroon and Gold drubbing teams by 20 points.
The Knights came out of the week with a 4-3, 3-1 PSAC record, which places them in an early season tie for third place in the conference standings. Gannon will not play again until Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 17.
East Stroudsburg and West Chester universities will make the trip across Pennsylvania for an East-West PSAC battle. Tip-off for each contest is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
It is an important week for the women’s team as it is final exam week, conference games and an undefeated West Chester coming to town. The Knights will use the 10 days between games to iron things out to get back on track.
ADAM BLAZEK
