Video Highlights & Interviews

THE BASICS
PSAC Tournament Western Division First Round
Hosted by: Gannon University
Location: Erie, Pa.  |  Hammermill Center
Score: at Gannon 66, Slippery Rock 48
Records: Gannon (21-6 PSAC), Slippery Rock (11-16 PSAC)
The Short Story: The third-seeded Gannon women's basketball team opened the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament with a 66-48 first-round victory over sixth-seeded Slippery Rock Saturday afternoon at the Hammermill Center. The Lady Knights utilized a strong second-half performance to earn their third consecutive appearance in the conference quarterfinals. The Lady Knights' offense was led by Mollie Sebald (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Holy Name) with 16 points. Senior Nettie Blake (Jersey City, N.J./Marist) scored 14 points and registered 12 rebounds to record her 12th double-double of the season and 31st of her career.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Gannon captured an 8-0 lead over Slippery Rock in the opening two and a half minutes of the game. Senior Brittany Batts (Leesburg, Va./Loudoun County) opened the day's scoring by burying a three.
- The Lady Knights pushed their lead to double digits before taking a 20-8 advantage with under 10 minutes remaining in the half on a layup by Blake, which was the last basket of the half for GU. Trailing by 12 points with 8:22 left, The Rock managed to whittle the Lady Knights' lead down to 23-19 heading into the break. All three of the Lady Knights' points scored in the closing 8:22 of the half came at the foul line.
- Gannon emerged in the second half by outscoring Slippery Rock, 49-23, to capture the win.  
- To open the second half, The Rock struck on their first possession just nine seconds in on a jumper from Taylor Siggers. A visit to the charity stripe by Blake with 19:35 remaining opened a 14-1 GU run as the Lady Knights earned a commanding 37-22 lead. During the stretch, Batts buried consecutive threes to take a 32-21 advantage. The Rock went 0-for-5 from the floor including six turnovers to stall their offense.
- A three from Slippery Rock's BreeAnna Gross was answered back by a long-range shot from junior Morgan Neighbors (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South) as the Lady Knights took a 44-31 lead with 9:38 left in regulation. Looking to cut into the Lady Knights' lead, five of The Rock's next seven shots came from beyond the arc. Only three of their seven attempts fell. Gross connected on a three to pull to within 10 of the Lady Knights, 49-39, with 6:13 left. This would be the closest The Rock came to catching up to the Lady Knights in the remaining time.
- Ten of the Lady Knights' final 17 points came at the foul line as the Maroon and Gold sealed the 66-48 win over The Rock.  
 
GAME NOTES
- Four Lady Knights reached double figures to lead the Lady Knights' second-half performance.
- Sebald led the Lady Knights' offense with 16 points in a team-best 33 minutes. She also accounted for five rebounds, three steals and a block.
- Blake registered 14 points and a team-high 12 rebounds to record her 12th double-double of the season and 31st of her career. In 28 minutes, she joined Sebald with three steals and two blocks.
- Batts and Neighbors each finished with 11 points. Batts buried three threes in 24 minutes including a rebound and an assist. Neighbors hit on two long-range attempts, while going 5-for-6 from the foul line.
- Gannon held a 46-37 advantage on the boards. Blake led the Lady Knights with 12 boards followed by junior Jennie Thies (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern) with seven rebounds and junior Amanda Berchtold (Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep) with six.
- The Lady Knights shot 30.6 percent (19-62) from the field, while The Rock finished not far behind at 30.4 percent (14-46). The Rock connected on 42.9 percent (6-14) of their long-range attempts. Despite converting on more chances from outside the arc, the Lady Knights hit on 30 percent (9-30) of their attempts.
- The Rock were led by D'Asia Chambers with 17 points followed by Taylor Siggers with nine points.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Gannon improved to 32-9 against Slippery Rock in the all-time series. The Lady Knights have won 10 consecutive games against The Rock, while securing a victory in 25 of their last 26 meetings. 
- The Lady Knights captured their 20th win against The Rock in 23 all-time meetings at the Hammermill Center. It marked GU's 16th straight win on home court against The Rock.
- The matchup marked the first time the two squads have met in the conference tournament. All four of GU's last four PSAC Tournament berths have come in wins over The Rock in the regular season.
- For the fourth consecutive season, the Lady Knights earned a sweep of The Rock in the regular-season series.
- The Lady Knights have outscored The Rock by 16 or more points in eight of their last nine meetings.
- When leading at the half, GU improved to 18-0 this season.
- GU has won 14 of their last 16 games, including six straight in its current stretch.
- In the latest NCAA Division II Atlantic regional rankings, Gannon is sixth.
- The Lady Knights' shooting performance of 30.6 percent (19-62) from the field marked their lowest number since Jan. 3.
- Sebald moved closer to 1,000 career points with her 16-point performance. The senior needs 20 points to become the 27th Lady Knight to reach the career milestone.
- At the Hammermill Center this season, the Lady Knights improved to 13-1. The Maroon and Gold have won 41 of their last 43 games at home.
- The Lady Knights are making their fourth consecutive appearance in the PSAC Tournament.
- Ending an 11-year absence, Slippery Rock made their first appearance in the postseason since the 2005-06 season.
 
UP NEXT
Third-seeded Gannon will travel to second-seeded and 20th nationally-ranked California (Pa.) for a PSAC Quarterfinal meeting Tuesday, March 3. The tip is set for 7 p.m.