Matt Durisko

Women's Basketball 1/29/2018 10:24:00 PM Chris Slack, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

15th-Ranked Edinboro Concludes Road Trip at Pitt-Johnstown on Wednesday

No. 15 Edinboro heads into the second-half of PSAC West action on Wednesday, when it concludes a three-game road trip at Pitt-Johnstown. Edinboro heads to UPJ with a 16-2 overall mark and have gone 12-2 in the PSAC West. Edinboro is ranked 15th in the WBCA Division II Top 25 poll and were among teams "also receiving votes" in the D2SIDA Division II Top 25.
The Fighting Scots last played on January 24 in a 73-54 win at Mercyhurst. They had a scheduled bye over the weekend. Head coach Stan Swank will return to the bench on Wednesday night, after missing the past two games due to the passing of his father. Assistant coach Callie Wheeler served as head coach in his absence, and guided the Fighting Scots to a 2-0 record with wins over Mercyhurst and Slippery Rock.
The two teams met earlier this month at McComb Fieldhouse on January 8. Both teams struggled to make shots on the night. Edinboro shot 33.8 percent of its shots, while UPJ shot 37.7 percent from the floor. But after heading into the fourth quarter knotted at 42-42, the Fighting Scots outscored the Mountain Cats by five points for a 61-56 win.
Pitt-Johnstown enters the week at 8-12 overall, 5-10 in the PSAC West, and ia looking to end a four-game losing streak after a 64-46 defeat at Gannon this past Saturday. Their loss to Edinboro earlier in the month was its fifth in a row. Since then, the Mountain Cats have gone 1-5, and are a combined 1-10 since December 9. However, they have matched their win total from the past two seasons.
Wednesday's contest features the top rebounders in the PSAC with Ciara Rosten and UPJ's Olivia McCabe. The two forwards are the lone players in the PSAC to be averaging at least 10 rebounds a game. Rosten leads the PSAC with 10.8 rpg., with McCabe in a close second with 10.3 rpg.
The Fighting Scots have had incredible success over the past seven seasons, with 20 wins each year and a combined 181-48 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 570-303 overall, and entered the year ranked ninth among Division II coaches with 554 career wins.
Pitt-Johnstown was picked to finish eighth in the PSAC West Preseason Coaches' Poll. Last season, UPJ finished last in the east at 8-20 overall and 4-18 in the conference.
Jontay Walton (17.2 ppg.), Ciara Rosten (14.6), Michelle Jahn (13.9), and Michaela Barnes (12.3) are each averaging double figures per contest this season. Combined, they are responsible for 58.0 points (72.8 percent) of the Fighting Scots' 79.7 points averaged per game this year.

Edinboro on Radio/Video

The Edinboro-Pitt-Johnstown game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9.
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. Pitt-Johnstown

Edinboro leads 15-10
First Meeting: 1978-79 – Edinboro 89, Pitt-Johnstown 58
Last Meeting: January 8, 2018 – No. 15 Edinboro 61, Pitt-Johnstown 56
Current Streak: Edinboro has won nine straight contests.
Swank vs. Pitt-Johnstown: 14-8

Last Meeting
January 8, 2018 – No. 15 Edinboro 61, Pitt-Johnstown 56 at Edinboro, Pa. BOX | RECAP

The Edinboro women's basketball team rallied from a late deficit in the fourth quarter for a 61-56 victory over Pitt-Johnstown. With the win, the Fighting Scots improved to 12-1 overall, 8-1 in the PSAC West, and 6-0 at McComb Fieldhouse. The contest was also Edinboro's third over a six-day stretch.
Entering the fourth quarter, both teams were knotted at 42 points apiece. With 3:15 remaining in the game, UPJ's Alexis Hartwick gave the Mountain Cats a 54-51 lead on a 3-pointer. On the other end, Michaela Barnes responded with a 3-pointer, followed by a layup, igniting a 10-1 Edinboro run to end the contest.
Pitt-Johnstown's size caused Edinboro issues throughout the contest, as the Fighting Scots were without two key reserves. Junior Allison Thompson, who was out due to injury, while Junior Cheniya Sharpe joined Thompson on the bench, as the forward left the first quarter with an injury.
Ciara Rosten and Whitney Allen stepped up in the absence of Sharpe and Thompson by tying or registering career-highs in rebounds, points and steals, respectfully. Rosten tied her previous career-high of 16 rebounds, with six coming on the offensive glass. The 6'2" forward also scored eight points, distributed four assists, and blocked five baskets. As for Allen, she set a career-high with four steals, and tied a career-best of 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. The 6'1" forward also grabbed seven rebounds, before fouling out.
All of Edinboro's 61 points came from the starting five. Jontay Walton led all players in scoring with 18 points and five assists. Barnes also scored in double figures with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 4-of-6 free throws. Michelle Jahn scored nine points and blocked two shots.
Olivia McCabe led Pitt-Johnstown in scoring with 16 points shooting 6-of-10 from the floor, while blocking two shots. McCabe, who at the time led the PSAC in rebounds per game, was held to just six boards. Alexis Hartwick tallied season-highs of 14 points and eight rebounds, to go with three steals. Gabrielle Smith nearly recorded a double-double with 11 points and nine boards.
Edinboro shot 33.8 percent (24-of-71) from the floor, while the Mountain Cats made 37.7 percent (20-of-53) of their baskets. The Fighting Scots outscored Pitt-Johnstown in the paint, 32-22, collected ten steals for a 16-10 advantage in points off turnovers, and scored nine fast break points, while holding UPJ scoreless on the night. The Mountain Cats made three more free throws (11-for-16) than Edinboro (8-for-14), but had two more attempts than the Scots.

The Head Coaches
Edinboro: Stan Swank (Purdue '76) -- 570-303, 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 181-48 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 570 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.

Pitt-Johnstown: Mike Drahos (Bethany (WVa.) 06) 44–85, 5th Year

Head coach Mike Drahos is in his fifth season as the Pitt-Johnstown head coach. In his first season at the helm, he led the Mountain Cats to a PSAC Tournament berth.
Prior to his arrival in Johnstown, Drahos spent five seasons as an assistant coach at West Liberty. The Hilltoppers posted a 107-47 record in his five years with the program, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and '11.
His coaching career began at his alma mater, Bethany, where he served as an assistant coach on the men's basketball team for two years. During his playing days at Bethany, Drahos was a two-time Presidents' Athletic Conference Player of the Year and three-time first team all-conference selection.

The Fighting Scots
Probable Starters

P / No.	Player	Ht.	Yr.	Hometown	PPG / RPG
F / 12	Whitney Allen	6-1	Gr.	Dudley, United Kingdom	4.4 / 6.6
F / 15	Ciara Rosten	6-2	Sr.	Buffalo, N.Y.	14.6 / 10.8
G / 2	Michaela Barnes	5-6	So.	Chagrin Falls, Ohio	12.3 / 2.3
G / 20	Michelle Jahn	5-8	Jr.	Edinboro, Pa.	13.9 / 3.7
G / 5	Jontay Walton	5-5	R-Jr.	Buffalo, N.Y.	17.2 / 3.4

F / 32	Allison Thompson	6-0	Jr.	Erie, Pa.	3.4 / 2.8
G / 1	Bridgette Shaffer	5-8	R-So.	Beaver Falls, Pa.	2.9 / 2.4
G / 24	Ayana Vaughn	5-8	R-Sr.	Beaver Falls, Pa.	3.3 / 1.1

Scouting the Fighting Scots

No. 15 Edinboro won its third straight contest last Wednesday at Mercyhurst, 73-54. With the win, the Fighting Scots are now 16-2 overall and 12-2 in the PSAC West. They also rank 15th in the WBCA Division II Top 25 poll and were among teams "also receiving votes" in the D2SIDA Top 25.
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 Indiana(Pa.) and are one game back of California(Pa.) for the best mark in the PSAC.
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.
Winners of three straight games overall and on the road, Edinboro aims to win its fourth contest in both fields at Pitt-Johnstown. The Fighting Scots avoided a near upset earlier this month vs. the Mountain Cats in a 61-56 victory on January 8. While Edinboro won the contest, Cheniya Sharpe went down with an injury in the first quarter, and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Edinboro ranks second in the PSAC in scoring, and is 14th in Division II at 79.7 ppg. They are also holding opponents to 60.0 ppg., for third in the conference.
Five Fighting Scots scored in double digits against the Lakers. Jontay Walton scored a game-high 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. The 5'5" guard also tied her career-best of six steals in the win. Walton leads the PSAC with 3.1 steals per game, and is second in assists with 4.2 apg. Ciara Rosten recorded her third consecutive double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. She also dished out four assists and blocked three shots. The 6'2" forward has swatted away a minimum of three shots in 12 of the last 13 games. Rosten continues to lead the PSAC in total blocks (68) and blocks per game (3.8), while also ranking third and fourth nationally in the two categories, respectively.
Michaela Barnes scored 13 points against the Lakers, including eight points in the first quarter. She also tied her season-high of three steals. Michelle Jahn and Ayana Vaughn were the final two Fighting Scots in double figures, each scoring 11 points. Vaughn scored nine of her 11 points in-between the third and fourth quarters.
Junior Michelle Jahn has moved up three spots on the all-time 3-point field goals made list this season. She is approaching her fourth shift of the season, as she's four 3-pointers away from moving into fifth place all-time. The 5-8" guard entered the campaign ranked ninth, but currently sits in sixth place with 175 3-pointers made. Jahn leads Edinboro in 3-pointers on the season, shooting 43-of-117 from beyond the arc. Additionally, she has scored 887 points in her career, and is 113 shy of 1,000 points.
With 119 career blocks, Ciara Rosten became the ninth Fighting Scot to ever block 100 shots or more shots, following Edinboro's win at Slippery Rock on January 20. The 6'2" forward moved into sole possession of seventh place of the career list with three at Mercyhurst.

Scouting the Mountain Cats

Pitt-Johnstown started the campaign 7-6, but has since gone 1-10. They enter the week on a four-game losing streak with an 8-12 overall record and 5-10 mark in the PSAC for eighth place in the Western Division. They are coming off a 64-46 loss at Gannon over the weekend. Prior to the loss, they lost by 10 points at home to the top team in the PSAC East, West Chester, 78-68.
This year, UPJ was picked to finish eighth in the PSAC West Coaches' Preseason Poll. They currently rank eighth in the Western Division.
Mike Drahos enters his fifth season at Pitt-Johnstown and has compiled a 44-85 record since taking over as head coach.
Pitt-Johnstown is scoring 60.4 ppg. this season, which is third-worst in the conference. However, they're giving up 62.8 ppg., which is fourth-best.
In the 10 games Pitt-Johnstown has lost during its extended skid, six of them were decided by 10 points or less. That includes their 61-56 loss at Edinboro on January 8.
Senior Olivia McCabe, who has scored 1,093 points in her career, leads the PSAC in double-doubles (10). She also leads the Mountain Cats in scoring with 14.7 ppg, while Gabrielle Smith is a near second, averaging 14.5 ppg. They are the only Mountain Cats scoring in double figures this season.
McCabe is second to Ciara Rosten in rebounding per game, averaging 10.3 rpg.

NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING SCOTS: Saturday, February 3 vs. No. 14 California(Pa.) – 1:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#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

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

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

#24 Ayana Vaughn: G; 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior

#5 Jontay Walton: G; 5' 5"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#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

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

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

#24 Ayana Vaughn
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#5 Jontay Walton
: 5' 5"; Redshirt Junior
: G

Edinboro University Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

15th-Ranked Edinboro Concludes Road Trip at Pitt-Johnstown on Wednesday

Players Mentioned

#12 Whitney Allen

#2 Michaela Barnes

#20 Michelle Jahn

#15 Ciara Rosten

#11 Cheniya Sharpe

#32 Allison Thompson

#24 Ayana Vaughn

#5 Jontay Walton

Players Mentioned

#12 Whitney Allen

#2 Michaela Barnes

#20 Michelle Jahn

#15 Ciara Rosten

#11 Cheniya Sharpe

#32 Allison Thompson

#24 Ayana Vaughn

#5 Jontay Walton