Unbeatable Golden Knights Dominate the Court

Bloomsburg Huskies vs. Gannon Golden Knights

The Bloomsburg Huskies (3-1, 0-0 PSAC East) are no strangers to the court. Picked to finish sixth in the PSAC East preseason poll, they opened the season with a 54-50 loss to Virginia State. However, since then, they have won three straight games, most recently edging Chestnut Hill 77-75. They rely on a stingy defense, allowing just 54.0 points per game and limiting two opponents to less than 50 points.

Senior Katie Starr leads the team with 12.8 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game. A year ago, she was a first-team All-PSAC East selection after averaging 17.1 points per game. Leah Kale, a 5-foot-9 sophomore, adds 12.3 points per game and has made 6-of-18 3-pointers.

East Stroudsburg Warriors vs. Gannon Golden Knights

Liz Flooks is in her first season as the head coach at East Stroudsburg. The Warriors were picked to finish fifth in the PSAC East after ending last year at 10-18 but are off to a 2-1 start. They dropped a 69-58 decision to No. 10 Jefferson on Wednesday, trailing by just a basket entering the fourth quarter before being outscored 21-12.

Emily Chmiel, a 6-foot-2 senior, leads the team with 22.7 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game. She has increased her averages from 9.3 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game last year. Izzy Vogel, a 5-foot-10 senior, adds 11.0 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game, along with 10 steals.

Gannon, coming off a tough battle at Charleston (WV) and remaining undefeated at 7-0, is set to face these opponents. The Golden Knights received a much-needed rest this week after playing seven times in the first 16 days of the season. They are ranked third in the D2CSC Division II Top 25 and fourth in the WBCA Top 25.

Cleve Wright, in his 21st season as a head coach and 17th at Gannon, recently reached his 400th career win with a 55-39 win over Daemen. Trinitee Harris led the way with a driving layup with seven seconds left to secure a 71-68 win over Charleston (WV), and Bri Claxon iced the victory with a pair of free throws. Claxon had a season-best effort with 26 points and seven rebounds, making 10-of-16 field goals and 3-of-4 3-pointers.

Kate Ratliff was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week after a huge game against Glenville State, with 28 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks. Maddy Wheatley is averaging 11.3 points per game and a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game, while Carissa Dunham is known for her 3-point shooting, having made 15 three's in 43 attempts.

This weekend's games will be a test for the Golden Knights as they look to continue their winning streak and dominate on the court. The action kicks off on Friday with a special morning edition of Golden Knight basketball as the Gannon-Bloomsburg game is set for an 11 a.m. tipoff, followed by the men's game at 1:00 p.m. On Saturday, Gannon hosts East Stroudsburg with the contest tipping off at 1:00 p.m.

Next for the Golden Knights, they will play one more time before Thanksgiving, traveling to Columbus, Ohio to play at Ohio Dominican on Wednesday, November 27.