The IUP basketball teams both lost to Gannon last night in a couple of close games at the KCAC.
The women dropped a 61-54 decision. IUP took a 35-24 lead into the locker room at halftime, but Gannon trimmed seven points off that lead and trailed by four entering the fourth quarter. They tied the game at 44 with 8:44 left, and it was 53-53 with 1:36 to go when IUP’s Shamia Strayhorn converted an and-one to put IUP up a point. From there’ though, Gannon hit a layup and six free throws to put the game away. Lily Jordan led IUP with 17 points. Strayhorn had 14 and Ellie Wilkerson 11.
The IUP men put on a 9-2 run to take a brief, 38-37 lead at the start of the second half, but couldn’t hold off a strong Gannon effort as the Golden Knights won their 13th straight game, 89-81. The game had four ties and 13 lead changes, with the Golden Knights taking the lead for good, 55-54 on a three-pointer by former Berlin Brothersvalley star Pace Prosser with just under 11 minutes to play.
Ernest Shelton led all scorers with 29 points for Gannon. IUP had four players in double figures, led by Christian Moore’s 19. Sarp Furton had 13, Kymani Merraro 12, and Tyler Grove 10.
