Matt Durisko

Women's Basketball 1/22/2018 6:03:00 PM Chris Slack, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

No. 15 Edinboro Seeks Third Consecutive Road Win at Mercyhurst

No. 15 Edinboro continues its three-game roadtrip on Wednesday, when the Fighting Scots travel to visit rival Mercyhurst. The Lakers are the last Western Division team that Edinboro has yet to face this season.
A year ago, the home team prevailed in each contest, with the Lakers connecting on two free throws in the final minute to win at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center, 56-54.
Edinboro is ranked 15th in the WBCA Division II Top 25 poll. The Fighting Scots were voted fifth in the D2SIDA Atlantic Region poll.
On Saturday, Edinboro picked up a 74-52 win at Slippery Rock, marking its 17th win in the last 19 encounters against The Rock.
Three Fighting Scots scored in double figures, with junior Michelle Jahn leading the team with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting and 4-of-9 from behind the arc, before fouling out. The 5'8" guard is five 3-pointers away from cracking the top-5 of most 3-pointers made by a Fighting Scot in their career. Ciara Rosten notched her eighth double-double of the campaign with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The PSAC's leading shot blocker swatted away a career seven shots in the win. She is averaging 3.8 bpg. Redshirt Junior Jontay Walton was the final Scot in double figures with 10 points. The 5'5" guard also led all players with four assists and four steals.
Rosten was named PSAC Women's Basketball Co-Athlete of the Week for posting back-to-back double-doubles against SRU and Clarion. She went for 15 points and 15 rebounds in 27 minutes of action against the Golden Eagles.
The Fighting Scots have had incredible success over the past seven seasons, with 20 wins each year and a combined 180-48 record in that span. This season, Edinboro won its first nine games to start the year, which was the second-longest win streak to start a campaign since the 24-game winning streak during the 2011-12 season.
Edinboro was picked to finish third in the PSAC West Coaches' Preseason Poll. A year ago, they finished fourth in the Western Division at 21-9 and 16-6 in conference action, qualifying for the PSAC Tournament for the eighth straight season.
On December 2, head coach Stan Swank became the all-time winningest basketball coach in PSAC history, after his then 560th career victory over Mansfield, 81-54. In the win, he passed Charles Chronister of Bloomsburg for the most wins all-time by a men's basketball coach in the PSAC. In his 31 years at Edinboro, Swank has gone 569-303 overall, and entered the year ranked ninth among Division II coaches with 554 career wins.
Mercyhurst was picked to finish ninth in the PSAC West Coaches' Preseason Poll. The Lakers finished with the third-best record in the Western Division at 24-8 overall and 17-5 in conference action. After winning the most conference games in a season, posting 20 wins for the first time since the 1994-95 season, they ended nearly a two-and-a-half decade postseason drought, as they made the NCAA Tournament. They lost in the Atlantic Regional Semifinal contest against seventh-ranked California(Pa.), 86-75.
The Lakers will look to extend their three-game homestand on a note, following a 61-53 upset of No. 14 California(Pa.). The three home contests feature the top-3 teams in the Western Division in the Vulcans, Edinboro and second-ranked IUP.
Jontay Walton (17.1 ppg.), Ciara Rosten (14.4), Michelle Jahn (14.4), and Michaela Barnes (12.2) are each averaging double figures per contest this season. Combined, they are responsible for 57.8 points (72.2 percent) of the Fighting Scots' 80.1 points averaged per game this year.

Edinboro on Radio/Video

The Edinboro-Mercyhurst game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9. Dakota Palmer will be handling the play-by-play with Madison Gross providing color commentary. In addition, this year Edinboro is part of the PSAC Network. All men's and women's home basketball games will be streamed live through Stretch Internet.

All-Time Series vs. Mercyhurst

Edinboro leads 49-12
First Meeting: 1970-71 – Edinboro 64, Mercyhurst 57
Last Meeting: February 18, 2017 – at Mercyhurst 56, Edinboro 54
Current Streak: Edinboro has won 11 of the last 13 meetings.
Swank vs. Mercyhurst: 32-11

Last Meeting
February 18, 2017 – Mercyhurst 56, Edinboro 54 at Erie, Pa. BOX | RECAP

For the first time in the last eleven meetings, the Edinboro University women's basketball team ended up on the losing end of a contest with local PSAC West rival Mercyhurst. The Fighting Scots 56-54 nail-biting loss dropped them to 19-7 overall and 15-5 in the PSAC West. Mercyhurst avoided a fifth consecutive season sweep by Edinboro and entered a tie with the Fighting Scots for the third seed in the West with a 20-6 overall mark and a 15-5 conference ledger.
The Fighting Scots got off to a rough start, missing four of their first five shots. They also missed a pair of shots from the charity stripe, leading to an 8-3 Mercyhurst lead just under four minutes into the contest. Jessica Bell sparked the run with back-to-back layups. Katie Fischer was able to keep the Fighting Scots within striking distance, scoring ten points in the first quarter to keep the deficit at 15-13 entering the second quarter.
Jontay Walton knotted the game up at 15-15 just five seconds into the second quarter, before a Jalin Steel jumper once again gave the Lakers the lead. Michelle Jahn gave Edinboro its first lead of the night on a 3-pointer, but the Lakers responded on a 10-2 run for a 27-20 advantage. Mercyhurst went into halftime up 34-30.
Both teams returned to the court ice cold to open the second half. The two teams combined for just 15 points in the third quarter, with the Fighting Scots outscoring the Lakers, 9-8, in the period. Edinboro shot just 3-of-12 with five turnovers, while the Lakers matched the rough patch going 3-of-13 with a trio of turnovers.
Action once again heated up in the final quarter. With less than two played in the final quarter, the Fighting Scots retook the lead at 43-42 on back-to-back baskets from Ciara Rosten. The Lakers immediately responded, regaining the lead and leading by as much as five points at 52-47 with under three minutes to play.
Rosten once again jump started an Edinboro run, as the Fighting Scots scored seven unanswered points to take a 54-52 lead with 57 seconds remaining in the contest. A pair of Steel free throws knotted the game up with 47 seconds remaining. With just 10 seconds left in the game, Emilee Norris split a pair of free throws, putting the Lakers on top, 55-54. On the ensuing possession, the Fighting Scots turned the ball over and were forced to foul with five seconds remaining. Natalie Piaggesi went 1-for-2 from the line, allowing the Fighting Scots one last heave from half court that couldn't find the back of the net.
Fischer led all scorers with 16 points, before fouling out late in the contest. Rosten added 13 points and six rebounds, while Jahn dropped in 11 points. Walton turned in her typical strong performance off the bench, finishing with 10 points and three steals. Cheniya Sharpe led the Fighting Scots with eight rebounds.
The Lakers took care of business on the glass, holding a 45-38 advantage in rebounds, led by Angela Heintz with 11. Heintz also added 14 points and six assists. Piaggesi finished with 11 points and nine boards, while Emilee Norris and Maria Lapertosa added nine and eight points off the bench, respectively.
Edinboro finished the contest shooting 31.0 percent (18-of-58) from the floor and was just 48.1 percent (13-of-27) from the free throw line. The Lakers finished 19-of-54 from the floor, and also struggled from the charity stripe, shooting 65.2 percent (15-of-23). Both teams committed 17 turnovers apiece.

The Head Coaches
Edinboro: Stan Swank (Purdue '76) -- 569-303, 31st Year

Stan Swank is in his 31st season as the Edinboro women's basketball head coach. He has led the Fighting Scots to seven straight 20-win seasons, and is currently 180-48 overall during that period. In total, Swank has had 13 20-win seasons as Edinboro's head coach.
Swank is the all-time leader in victories among PSAC men's and women's coaches with 569 wins. He entered the campaign with 554 wins, which was the most wins by a women's basketball coach in PSAC history. He then passed former Bloomsburg men's basketball coach Charles Chronister for the men's title in Edinboro's 81-54 triumph at Mansfield.
Entering the 2017-18 season, Swank ranked ninth in Division II with 554 wins at Edinboro, and 41st in the NCAA. As a program, Edinboro ranked 13th all-time in Division II with 779 wins. Over the last five years, he has coached the Scots to a .733 winning percentage, which is 25th in Division II. Swank also ranks 38th in Division II history with a .648 winning percentage.
In his 31 years at Edinboro, he has led the Fighting Scots to four PSAC championship titles, and ten appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament. During March Madness, the Fighting Scots have made two Elite Eight appearances, three Sweet Sixteen births, and have made the Round of 32 on four occasions.

Mercyhurst: Deanna Richard (Oakland '96) 123-173, 11th year, 184-265, 17th year overall

Deanna Richard is in her 11th season as the Mercyhurst women's basketball head coach.
Last season, she led Mercyhurst to its best record in over 20 years at 24-8. The Lakers also won 17 PSAC contests, which is the most in program history. In addition to receiving their fourth PSAC Tournament berth with Richard's at the helm, they advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Semifinal. It marked their first postseason appearance in over two decades.
Richard came to Mercyhurst from Olivet, where she spent six seasons as the head coach of the Comets and made the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Tournament all six years.
During her playing days, Richard was an outstanding player at Oakland from 1992-96, leading Oakland to a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship and a trip to the Elite Eight. She finished her career with 1,333 points and was inducted into Oakland's Hall of Honor in 2007.

The Fighting Scots
Probable Starters

P / No.	Player	Ht.	Yr.	Hometown	PPG / RPG
F / 12	Whitney Allen	6-1	Gr.	Dudley, United Kingdom	4.7 / 6.5
F / 15	Ciara Rosten	6-2	Sr.	Buffalo, N.Y.	14.4 / 10.8
G / 2	Michaela Barnes	5-6	So.	Chagrin Falls, Ohio	12.2 / 2.3
G / 20	Michelle Jahn	5-8	Jr.	Edinboro, Pa.	14.1 / 3.5
G / 5	Jontay Walton	5-5	R-Jr.	Buffalo, N.Y.	17.1 / 3.5

F / 32	Allison Thompson	6-0	Jr.	Erie, Pa.	3.5 / 3.0
G / 1	Bridgette Shaffer	5-8	R-So.	Beaver Falls, Pa.	3.1 / 2.6
G / 24	Ayana Vaughn	5-8	R-Sr.	Beaver Falls, Pa.	2.9 / 1.0

Scouting the Fighting Scots

Edinboro started a three-game roadtrip in winning style on Saturday, improving to 15-2 overall and 11-2 in the PSAC West, as the Fighting Scots defeated Slippery Rock, 74-52.
The Fighting Scots only losses of the year came on January 13 vs. No. 3 IUP, 74-68, and by three points in a 74-71 decision at No. 10 California(Pa.) on December 30. Edinboro is ranked 15th in the WBCA Division II Top 25 and was voted fifth in the D2SIDA Atlantic Region poll.
The Fighting Scots will look to avoid an upset on Wednesday at Mercyhurst. A year ago, the Lakers pulled off a nail-biting 56-54 win in Erie, shooting 2-for-4 at the line over the final 10 seconds. Wednesday's contest is the second of three straight road games. Edinboro doesn't return to McComb Fieldhouse until Saturday, February 3, against California(Pa.).
A year ago, Edinboro went 21-9 overall and 16-6 in conference play, finishing third in the PSAC standings. This year, the Fighting Scots were picked to finish third in the PSAC West Coaches' Preseason Poll. They currently sit in a second place tie with California(Pa.) and are one game back of Indiana(Pa.) for the best mark in the PSAC.
Edinboro is ranked second-best in the PSAC in scoring, and is 14th in Division II at 80.1 ppg. They are also holding opponents to 60.4 ppg., for third in the conference.
The Fighting Scots have held every opponent this season to under 80 points. They have also won the turnover battle in 15 games this season, forcing 21.1 turnovers per game for a difference of 6.9 per game. The 6.9 margin is second in the PSAC, and ranks 12th in Division II
Over Edinboro's last five road wins, the Fighting Scots have held opposing teams to under 55 points and less than 31.0 percent on overall shooting. They also have a combined 29.0 differential in steals.
In the win over Slippery Rock, the women's basketball team blocked a season-high nine shots, and three Fighting Scots scored in double figures. Michelle Jahn led Edinboro with 20 points, including four 3-pointers. The junior guard has moved up three spots on the all-time 3-point field goals made list this season. She's approaching her fourth shift of the season, as she's five 3-pointers away from moving into fifth place all-time. The 5-8" junior guard entered the campaign ranked ninth, but currently sits in sixth place with 174 3-pointers made. Jahn leads Edinboro in 3-pointers on the season, shooting 42-of-112 from beyond the arc.
Ciara Rosten picked up her eighth double-double of the year at SRU with 16 points and 10 rebounds, in addition to blocking a career-high seven shots. She is the first Fighting Scot to reach this plateau in two seasons. Rosten continues to lead the PSAC with 3.8 blocks per game and 65 blocks. She also ranks third nationally in both categories.
On Monday, the senior forward was named PSAC West Women's Basketball Co-Athlete of the Week for her performance against SRU and Clarion. Against the Golden Eagles, she had a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Jontay Walton was the final Edinboro player in double figures with 10 points. The 5'5" guard led all players with four assists and four steals.

Scouting the Lakers

Mercyhurst is coming off its best win of the season with a 61-53 upset over 14th-ranked California(Pa.). The Lakers pulled out the win without their top-two leading scorers in Amber Renz and Maria Lapertosa. Renz played just 11 minutes, while Lapertosa did not play. Mercyhurst heads into Wednesday with a 7-11 overall record and has gone 5-7 in the PSAC West.
Deanna Richard is in her 11th season with the Lakers. A year ago, she guided Mercyhurst to its best record since the 1994-95 season with a 24-8 overall record and 17-5 mark in conference play, which led to Mercyhurst's first NCAA Tournament appearance since the '94-'95 campaign. Its season concluded following a 86-75 loss in the NCAA Atlantic Regional semifinal contest at No. 7 California(Pa.).
With the win over the Vulcans this past weekend, Mercyhurst has won its last two home contests against ranked competition.
Mercyhurst is currently averaging 62.2 ppg., for 12th in the PSAC and is one spot higher in points allowed per game with 68.3 points.
The Lakers are one of the youngest teams in the PSAC. Mercyhurst replaced six seniors in the offseason with six freshmen.
One of the first-year's for the Lakers is Emily Shopone. The 5'7" guard is averaging 5.7 ppg., but is coming off her best performance of the season against the Vulcans. She led Mercyhurst with a season-high 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting and shot 4-for-6 at the line. She also tied her season-best of three steals. It was also the first time the freshman had scored in double digits this season.
Renz is averaging 14.3 ppg. and is leading the PSAC with a 53.6 field goal percentage. one of two Laker players scoring in double figures this season. The 5'10" forward is averaging 14.3 ppg, but was limited to three points in 11 minutes of action against California(Pa.). Renz is shooting 53.6 percent from the floor, which is atop the PSAC rankings. M. Lapertosa has contributed 13.6 ppg. in the 14 games she's played this year.
Emilee Norris, one of two juniors on the Laker team, scored 10 points and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds. The 6'0" forward leads Mercyhurst in rebounds this season, averaging 6.4 rpg.
Jamaya Shabazz also scored 10 points against California(Pa.). She is the lone senior on the Laker team.

NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING SCOTS: Wednesday, January 31 at Pitt-Johnstown – 5:30 p.m.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#4 Katie Fischer: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#20 Michelle Jahn: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#11 Cheniya Sharpe: F; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#15 Ciara Rosten: F/C; 6' 2"; Junior

#1 Jontay Walton: G; 5' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore

#12 Whitney Allen: F; 6' 1"; Graduate Student

#2 Michaela Barnes: G; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#20 Michelle Jahn: G; 5' 8"; Junior

#15 Ciara Rosten: F; 6' 2"; Senior

#32 Allison Thompson: F; 6' 0"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#4 Katie Fischer
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#20 Michelle Jahn
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#11 Cheniya Sharpe
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: F

#15 Ciara Rosten
: 6' 2"; Junior
: F/C

#1 Jontay Walton
: 5' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore
: G

#12 Whitney Allen
: 6' 1"; Graduate Student
: F

#2 Michaela Barnes
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: G

#20 Michelle Jahn
: 5' 8"; Junior
: G

#15 Ciara Rosten
: 6' 2"; Senior
: F

#32 Allison Thompson
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

Edinboro University Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

No. 15 Edinboro Seeks Third Consecutive Road Win at Mercyhurst

Players Mentioned

#4 Katie Fischer

#20 Michelle Jahn

#11 Cheniya Sharpe

#15 Ciara Rosten

#1 Jontay Walton

#12 Whitney Allen

#2 Michaela Barnes

#20 Michelle Jahn

#15 Ciara Rosten

#32 Allison Thompson

Players Mentioned

#4 Katie Fischer

#20 Michelle Jahn

#11 Cheniya Sharpe

#15 Ciara Rosten

#1 Jontay Walton

#12 Whitney Allen

#2 Michaela Barnes

#20 Michelle Jahn

#15 Ciara Rosten

#32 Allison Thompson