Gannon Women's Basketball Falls in Exhibition Game to Dayton

ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon women’s basketball team started action in the 2010-11 preseason on Tuesday night, traveling to Division I University of Dayton for an exhibition match. The Lady Knights fell to the Flyers by a 101-60 score. 

It was the start of a new era for the Gannon women’s basketball program, as the Lady Knights attempt to follow up a record-setting 2010-11 season. Several new faces were on the court tonight as Gannon will feature a completely new starting five this season. 

Junior Caitlyn Lowe (Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) provided some excitement to start the game, draining threes on back-to-back possessions, giving the Lady Knights an early 6-3 lead. 

Gannon hung with the Flyers through most of the first half, but Dayton was able to put together an 11-2 scoring run, stretching the lead to 15 points with 3:54 left in the half. The Flyers would hold a 50-30 lead at the midway point thanks to 14 points off turnovers. 

Dayton, who reached the second round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament last season, would score the first four baskets of the second half, increasing the Flyers’ lead to 28 points. Dayton took over the game from there, shooting 51.4 percent in the second half, while the Lady Knights were only able to sink 12 of their 32 second-half shots. 

Jennifer Papich (Indianola, Pa / Fox Chapel) made an impact in her first appearance in a Gannon uniform by scoring a team-high 17 points. The freshman grabbed seven rebounds, all on the defensive end, and blocked three Dayton shots. 

Lowe finished 5-8 from the field with 14 points in 32 minutes of action. Amanda Dacek (Middleburg Heights, Ohio / Berea) dished out a team-high six assists, grabbing three rebounds and chipping in eight points. Jessie Tamerlano (North Royalton, Ohio / North Royalton) finished with 12 points on 6-of-13 shooting in her first action for Gannon. 

The Flyers were led by Justine Raterman’s 21 points off 8-of-11 shooting. The Flyers, who return four starters and 14 letterwinners from last seasons team that finished with a 25-8 mark, placed four players in double digits. 

Gannon shot 38.1 percent (24-63) from the field, but struggled at the free throw line where they were 7-of-18 (38.9 percent). Dayton shot 48.6 percent (36-74) in the game and out-rebounded the Lady Knigts 53-34. 

Gannon will face another Division I opponent in an exhibition game on Sunday, November 7 when they will take on Penn State at 12 noon. The Lady Knights open the 2010-11 regular season at the Ferris State Tournament on Saturday, November 20 and Sunday November 21, taking on Northwood and Ferris State.