Gannon women's basketball wins Atlantic Region for first time since 2013
Sam Pirosko has already left her mark as one of the greatest players in Gannon women's basketball history.
Just one thing was missing.
A trip to the Elite Eight.
Pirosko scored 18 points, pulled down nine rebounds and was named Atlantic Region MVP as Gannon defeated Fayetteville State 72-47 in the regional final Tuesday at the Hagerty Family Events Center.
“It's a new experience and I'm super excited,” Pirosko said. “Did I think we'd be here? No. But I'm super happy that we are here. I think it's a testament to the hard work that this team has put in and the young energy we have on this team.”
Gannon (35-2) heads out to Saint Joseph, Missouri next week for the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, while Fayetteville State ends the season 29-3. It is the third trip for the Golden Knights along with trips in 2010 and 2013.
Gannon was give the No. 1 seed in the Elite Eight by the NCAA on Tuesday night. The Golden Knights take on No. 8 Cal State San Marcos on Monday at 7 p.m.
The Golden Knights and the Broncos each played tough defense in the first half before back-to-back 3-pointers by Kate Ratliff and Bri Claxon gave Gannon a 34-26 lead at the half. Claxon's 3-pointer came at the buzzer as Pirosko was double-teamed in the paint and kicked the ball back outside in the final seconds.
“That was huge. The game was nip and tuck there for a while,” said Gannon coach Cleve Wright. “I know Sam was being double-teamed and for her to have the wherewithal to find Bri in the pocket what a play.”
The Golden Knights carried that momentum over into a big third quarter as they outscored the Broncos 21-11 to start pulling away.
“They started hitting shots. That changed the game around and they were the better team tonight,” said Fayetteville State coach Tyreece Brown. “If we play tomorrow, maybe we are the better team, but kudos to Gannon and their program. They were the better team tonight. We've been on quite a journey and this team is so competitive all they can think about right now is how much they hate to lose.”
More: Gannon men's basketball wins Atlantic Region title at the buzzer
Gannon knocked down numerous dagger 3-pointers in the second half, including several by Villa Maria graduate Carissa Dunham. She finished with five 3-pointers on her way to 15 points and hit two straight 3-pointers to end the third quarter.
“This has been an awesome experience in general,” Dunham said. “If you told me in high school I'd be back here playing in this gym I would have called you crazy, but this has been a great experience and I love this team.”
Gannon started the fourth quarter to secure the win as Pirsko made two free throws and Olivia Cernuto and Ratliff hit back-to-back 3-pointers. The Golden Knights had a total of 13 3-pointers, including four by Ratliff and three by Claxon. Ratliff scored 16 points and Claxon, who was named to the all-region team, added 13 for the Golden Knights.
The Broncos had all 11 players score, including 12 from all-region pick Talia Trotter and six from all-region pick Aniylah Bryant.
“I couldn't be happier for this team. This is a special group,” Wright said. “They are so together and they trust each other, and our player leadership is off the charts.”
Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Gannon women's basketball rolls to Atlantic Region title
