ERIE, Pa. – The Mansfield University women's basketball team fell on the road to Gannon University, 86-45 in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East-West crossover contest on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 18.
 
The Mountaineers fall to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the PSAC, while Gannon improves to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in conference.
 
Gannon stormed out to a 21-8 lead after the first quarter and never looked back on their way to victory. The Knights were aggressive from the jump, getting to the line nine times in the first period, converting seven attempts, while also knocking down two trifectas.
 
The Mounties best quarter came in the second when they held the Knights to 12 points while scoring 11, but Gannon responded with 26 points in the third and 27 points in the fourth. The Knights held the Mounties to 29 percent (16-of-55) shooting from the floor and 18 percent (3-of-17) shooting from three, while registering an impressive 53 percent (30-of-57) mark on the offensive end.
 
Junior Jasmine Hilton was the lone Mountaineer in double figures, finishing with a team-high 10 points and seven rebounds. Senior Kira Merritt and sophomore Logan Nutt each added eight points, while senior Paige Whitfield hauled in five rebounds. Merritt was the lone Mountaineer to knock down multiple 3-pointers, finishing 2-of-6.
 
Emma Wright (19 points) and Samantha Pirosko (16 points, nine rebounds) led the Knights.
 
The Mounties contest with Clarion University scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 19 has been postponed to a date TBD due to COVID-19 concerns. The women's next scheduled game will be after the new year on Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m. when they welcome East Stroudsburg University to Decker Gym.