Gannon Men's Basketball Team Returns from NCAA's Dead Period by Hosting 37th Annual Porreco Cup

The Gannon men's basketball team returns from the holiday break and the NCAA's mandatory Dead Period this week when it hosts the 37th annual Porreco Cup at the Hammermill Center. The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, December 29. The consolation and championship games are slated for Thursday, December 30.

Former Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe Wayne State (Mich.) and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division member East Stroudsburg open semifinal play Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. The two clubs bring a combined record of 13-2 into the tournament. Wayne State is 8-1 overall and 5-0 in the GLIAC. East Stroudsburg, which was picked to win the PSAC Eastern Division in the league's preseason coaches poll, is off to a 5-1 start.

Gannon (3-2) and West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) member Seton Hill (4-5) follow at 8 p.m. The two programs will be meeting in the Porreco Cup semifinals for the third time in the last four years. Seton Hill posted a 64-44 victory in the 2009 semifinals. The Porreco Cup consolation and championships contests are also scheduled for 6 and 8 p.m.

Ticket windows will open both nights at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for non-Gannon students and senior citizens. All Gannon students are admitted free of charge by showing their school ID at the gate.

Gannon has been idle for 11 days since moving to 3-2 overall with a 70-68 victory against NCAA Division II Independent Urbana December 18 at the Hammermill Center. The Golden Knights out-scored the Blue Knights 40-2 in the paint, but surrendered 16 three-pointers. Head coach John T. Reilly's squad turned the ball over only eight times, representing the program's fewest since having seven during a 64-62 home loss to Northern Michigan on February 4, 2006.

All Gannon games can be heard live on Jet Radio 1400 and via the Internet at http://www.wergfm.com. Live gameday statistics for all Gannon games this weekend will be available at http://www.gannon.edu/athletics/men/basketba/lstats/XLIVE.HTM. A live America One video broadcast for all Gannon games this weekend will be available at http://www.b2livetv.com/partner_members.asp?id=85.

Live gameday statistics for any games not involving Gannon this weekend will be available at http://www.gannon.edu/athletics/men/basketba/lstats2/XLIVE.HTM.