Box Score
ERIE, Pa. – Gannon University led wire-to-wire and handed Slippery Rock an 84-60 loss Wednesday night in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division women's basketball action at the Hammermill Center.
Turnovers and rebounds proved to be the difference in the game, with Gannon (12-13, 4-9 PSAC) posting a 39-24 advantage in total rebounds and a 13-23 edge in turnovers. The Rock (3-22, 1-12 PSAC) put forth one of their best shooting efforts of the season at 48.9 percent, but took 15 less field goals and 15 less free throws than the hosts.
Grace Palucis led Slippery Rock with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-6 from behind the 3-point arc.
Marlynda Harland added 11 points and
Danielle Smith chipped in nine.
The Rock was 23-of-47 from the field for a shooting percentage of 48.9, which included 7-of-16 from 3-point land. The visitors were 7-of-10 at the free throw line.
Julie Kleber led five players in double figures for Gannon with 21 points. Jennifer Papich and Jessie Tamerlano each scored 13 points, while Amanda Dacek added 12 and Caitlyn Lowe scored 11.
The Golden Knights shot 46.8 percent from the field, connecting on 29-of-62 attempts, including 5-of-14 from behind the 3-point line. Gannon was 21-of-25 at the charity stripe.
Wednesday's game was all Gannon from the start, as the hosts opened up a 10-2 lead five minutes in and never trailed.
Slippery Rock cut the lead to four points at 20-16 with just over nine minutes to play in the first half, but Gannon answered back with a 9-2 run to push the lead out to 29-18 with six minutes left before the break.
The Golden Knights closed the half on a 10-2 run to take a 44-24 lead into the intermission.
The Rock cut the lead to 16 points early in the second half, but could come no closer as Gannon pushed the lead back over 20 points and cruised to the finish.
Slippery Rock returns home Saturday for the final game of the season when Edinboro visits Morrow Field House for a 1 p.m. contest. Palucis, the lone Rock senior, will be honored in a pregame ceremony before playing in her final collegiate game.
