Gannon Knight Sports

     The final score doesn’t always accurately portray the competiveness of a game.
     No. 3 Gannon University’s women’s basketball team’s 74-51 victory over Lock Haven University on Wednesday was close deep into the second half.
     “We were able to learn from the Lock Haven game,” said senior guard Tiffany Crocker, who leads Division II in assist-turnover ratio. “We will come out, play strong and get better that way, or it’ll end up being a tight game and we’ll use that experience.”
     After trailing for nearly the first four minutes, Gannon was able to come back and trade baskets in a half that saw 12 lead changes.
     The Knights’ problems stemmed from their inability to hold onto the ball. After averaging only 16 turnovers per game, Gannon lost possession a total of 19 times in the first half against Lock Haven.

     “Coach definitely let us know how many turnovers we had,” Crocker said. “We pride ourselves in limiting those turnovers. We needed to make better passes.”
     Despite holding Lock Haven to 1-of-7 from 3-point range and 11-of-26 from the field, the Knights’ largest first-half margin was five points.
     The Eagles, who sit in last place in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division with a 0-6 in-conference record, were able to keep the halftime deficit to three points against the 22-0 Knights.
     “We needed to get onto the same page,” said coach Cleve Wright. “We needed to become smarter and more disciplined.”
     The Knights took the message to heart, as senior guard Carrie Nolan knocked down an early second-half 3-pointer. Nolan ended the game with five points and two rebounds.
     After Gannon pushed the lead to 16 by going on a 15-2 run to start the second half, Lock Haven responded with a 10-2 run that cut the lead to eight points with 12 minutes left to play.
     With the Eagles trying to pull the upset, senior forward Kim Vargas stepped up to help put the game out of reach. Vargas scored six of the Knights’ next 11 points in a half which she scored all but two of her 13 points. She also ended the contest with four rebounds, two assists and one block.
     Crocker said that in the second half the team was able to settle down and play its style of game.
     “We took a breath and realized that we were all doing our own thing out there,” she said. “We made it a point to come together.”
     The Knights limited themselves to only five turnovers in the second half.
     The 10-2 run sparked by Vargas helped extend the lead to 17 and put the proverbial nail in the coffin into Lock Haven’s chances.
     Senior Kristina Freeman (pictured above - Terry Carson/ Knight), who leads the team in points per game, ended the night with a game-high 22 points.
     Junior Shanna Thompson provided another strong performance off the bench as she helped Gannon’s inside game by posting 11 points in 22 minutes of play.
     Having already played 10 games against PSAC opponents, the Knights will enter their first contest against rival Mercyhurst 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
     Gannon owns a 47-24 record against the Lakers with their last meeting coming Feb. 26, 2009, when the Knights claimed a 76-68 victory at the Hammermill Center.
     Mercyhurst is currently in third place in the PSAC West with a 12-6 overall record.
     There is no lack of focus heading into this game as Crocker and the rest of the Knights are looking forward to their date with the Lakers.
     “There are only eight games left so we’re excited,” she said. “We’re pumped for the game, especially when it’s against a cross-town rival.