Matt Durisko

Men's Basketball 2/8/2018 3:20:00 PM Bob Shreve, Sports Information Director

Edinboro's Wish -- A Win over Gannon on Make-A-Wish Awareness Day

Anthony Coleman had 32 points in the first meeting with Gannon.

After being picked to finish eighth in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, Edinboro wrapped up a berth in the PSAC Tournament with a 78-70 win at Seton Hill on Wednesday. The Fighting Scots improved to 14-7 overall and 11-6 in the PSAC West, moving into a tie with Gannon for third place in the division. Slippery Rock is just a half-game ahead of Edinboro and Gannon. Indiana(Pa.) holds down first place with a 14-3 record. All four have clinched spots in the PSAC Tournament.
It's Make-A-Wish Awareness Day at Edinboro. The annual event and fundraiser has featured a wish reveal at halftime of the men's game the previous four years. Edinboro has ranked among the top Division II institutions in Make-A-Wish donations each of the last four years, including 2016-17, when Edinboro was fourth with just under $14,000.
Edinboro is in a stretch of three home games in four contests, interrupted by the trip to Seton Hill. The Fighting Scots are 9-2 at home, but with both losses coming in the final seconds by a combined five points. Edinboro has suffered three losses in the final seconds, to Kutztown, Indiana(Pa.), and most recently to Mercyhurst on a 3-pointer with 13.2 seconds remaining.
Gannon is 15-8 overall and 11-6 in PSAC action. The Golden Knights snapped a two-game losing streak with a 74-63 win over California(Pa.) on Wednesday. Both of the losses have come on the road, at Seton Hill and Indiana(Pa.). They have lost three straight road games. Gannon was picked to finish second in the PSAC West in the coaches' preseason poll.
The Fighting Scots rank eighth in the PSAC in scoring offense (79.6 ppg.) and have moved up to sixth in scoring defense (74.1 ppg.). Gannon averages 70.7 ppg., good for 16th in the conference, but the Golden Knights lead the PSAC in scoring defense at 64.3 ppg. That figure is 11th in Division II.
The Fighting Scots have relied on a trio of players for the majority of the offense. The threesome of Keshawn Liggins, Anthony Coleman, and Jaymon Mason combine for over 56 points per game. Liggins led the Fighting Scots for the sixth straight game in scoring with 29 points at Seton Hill. He was named the PSAC West Co-Athlete of the Week earlier in the week. Liggins leads the PSAC and is tenth in Division II in scoring at 23.8 ppg., along with third in the conference and 12th nationally in rebounding at 10.9 rpg. He was recently named to the Bevo Francis Award Watch List and was selected the Division II Bulletin Player of the Month for January.
Anthony Coleman and Jaymon Mason add 16.8 and 15.7 ppg., respectively. The threesome has combined for 30-or-more points ten times. In addition, the Fighting Scots have had at least one of the three reach 20 points in every game but one.
Jaymon Mason continues to close the gap to become Edinboro's all-time leading scorer. The redshirt senior guard, who will go down as one of Edinboro's all-time great players, ranks second in career scoring with 1,861 points. He needs 94 points to break the career scoring record of 1,954 points, held by Tyrone Mason, his father.

Edinboro on Radio/Video

The Edinboro-Gannon game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9. Gabe Hypes will handle the play-by-play with Madison Gross on 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. Gannon

Gannon leads 68-38: The Fighting Scots have won three of the last five meetings. The Golden Knights are 28-22 all-time against the Fighting Scots at McComb Fieldhouse, including wins in five of the last six meetings.
First Meeting: 1948-49 – Edinboro 57, Gannon 48
Last Meeting: 2017-18 – Gannon 83, Edinboro 69
Current Streak: Gannon won the last meeting
Cleary vs. Gannon: 3-6

Last Meeting
Jan. 10, 2018 – Gannon 83, Edinboro 69 at Erie, Pa. BOX | RECAP

Anthony Coleman scored a career-high 32 points thanks to an incredible shooting performance, but it came in a losing effort as Edinboro suffered an 83-69 loss at Gannon. The Fighting Scots dropped to 10-4 overall and 7-3 in the PSAC, while the Golden Knights are now 10-5 and 6-3, respectively, while winning their sixth straight game.
Gannon dominated action in the first half while bolting to a 47-29 lead. Edinboro grabbed a 7-6 lead early in the contest thanks to a Coleman jumper in the paint, but the Golden Knights responded with the next 14 points to take the lead for good while making six-of-seven shots. Gannon added a 22-9 run late in the half.
Over the first 20 minutes, Gannon shot 52.6 percent (20-of-38), committed just two turnovers, and owned a 25-17 advantage on the glass. Edinboro, meanwhile, struggled against the top defensive team and second-best rebounding squad in the PSAC. The Fighting Scots made just 9-of-30 shots (30.0 percent), including 4-of-15 on 3-pointers.
Gannon built its lead to as much as 31 points at 71-40 and still led 73-43 with just over ten minutes to play when the Fighting Scots came alive and made things interesting down the stretch. Over the next five minutes, Edinboro scored the next 19 points to cut the gap to 73-62 with 5:31 to play.
Coleman did most of the damage, scoring 14 points, with freshman Alex Jay accounting for the other five points. Coleman started the run with a jumper in the paint, followed by a Jay 3-pointer. Coleman scored the next 12 points on three long 3-pointers, plus three free throws when he was fouled on a three. When Jay tipped in his own miss, the Fighting Scots were within 11.
Unfortunately, Gannon built the lead back up to 15 points at 77-62. Edinboro would close to within 10 at 79-69 with 2:13 to play on Trey Staunch's layup, but the Scots would not score again as Gannon closed out the win with four straight free throws.
Coleman was impressive in his first meeting with the Gannon. He made 11-of-20 shots, including 7-of-12 3-pointers, and was 3-for-3 at the line. He scored 21 of his points in the second half, when he made 4-of-5 3-pointers. Many of his three's were from well beyond the 3-point arc.
Coleman was the lone Fighting Scot to reach double digits. Liggins, who came in as the PSAC's leading scorer at 24.0 ppg., was held to a season-low seven points. Mason, Edinboro's second all-time leading scorer, was limited to nine points.
Jay and Staunch provided a boost off the bench, each scoring eight points. Jay made 3-of-6 field goals, including 2-of-3 3-pointers, and had four assists in 21 minutes. Staunch made 2-of-3 field goals and was 4-for-4 at the line.
Gannon showcased a pair of 20-point scorers who gave the Fighting Scots fits all night, as Zay Jackson had 24 points and Jair Green 21. The duo combined to make 18-of-33 shots. Jackson had 17 and Green 14 in the first half. Evan Phoenix added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Gannon shot 50.0 percent for the game (33-of-66), with 5-of-15 3-pointers, and 12-of-17 free throws. Edinboro ended the night at 39.0 percent (23-of-59), making 11-of-29 3-pointers. The Fighting Scots were 12-of-14 at the line. Gannon, the second-best rebounding team in the PSAC, held a 44-29 rebounding advantage, with 15 on the offensive glass. Edinboro committed six turnovers and Gannon eight. Gannon held a 42-18 advantage in points in the paint.

Head Coaches

Edinboro: Pat Cleary (Edinboro '99) -- 61-65, 5th Year

Pat Cleary was introduced as Edinboro's tenth head coach on March 26, 2013 after head coach Greg Walcavich announced his retirement. Cleary served as Walcavich's assistant coach for 14 years.
Cleary has now led the Fighting Scots to the PSAC Tournament in three of the last four years.
Cleary's first three teams improved each year since his appointment, with his 2015-16 team earning the third seed in the PSAC West Tournament with a 15-11 overall record and 14-8 league mark. A year ago the Fighting Scots came in at 8-18 overall and 6-16 in the PSAC West, with injuries forcing the Fighting Scots to suit up as few as seven players in February.
He guided Edinboro to the PSAC Tournament for the first time in 2014-15 with a 14-13 record, a four-game improvement over his first year, after being chosen to finish eighth in the PSAC West preseason poll. His first Boro squad finished 10-16 in 2013-14.

Gannon: John T. Reilly (Bowie State '86) -- 224-142, 13th Year; 456-287, 25th Year Overall

John Reilly is in his 13^th season as head coach at Gannon, He captured his 200^th career victory with the Golden Knights in the first meeting with Edinboro in 2016-17. He entered the season ranked 24^th among all active Division II coaches in wins (441). He became the 24th active NCAA?Division II?coach to record 450 wins in January. Reilly became Gannon's all-time winningest men's basketball coach when he guided the Golden Knights to a 59-57 overtime victory at California (Pa.) on February 21, 2015.
He is the longest-tenured coach and the all-time winningest coach in Gannon history.
The Bowie State graduate was previously an assistant coach at Gannon from 1987-93 before becoming the head coach at Brescia, a NAIA institution in Kentucky. He compiled a 232-145 career record in 12 seasons with the Bearcats and was inducted into the Brescia Hall of Fame last year.
Reilly has led Gannon to nine league tournament appearances (one GLIAC, eight PSAC) and a PSAC Championship in 2015. He has also led them to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight trip in 2009.
Reilly was named NABC Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the second time in 2014-15 after leading Gannon to its 27th 20-win season and 24th NCAA Tournament appearance. The Golden Knights finished 23-9, winning their second consecutive PSAC Western Division regular-season title en route to their second PSAC Tournament Championship since joining the league in 2008-09. Defense was the key as the Golden Knights finished No. 1 among all NCAA Division II programs with 56.6 points allowed per game

The Fighting Scots
Probable Starters

P / No.	Player	Ht/Wt/Yr	Hometown	PPG / RPG
F / 23	Mike Beck	6-3/220/Sr.	Erie, Pa.	5.8 / 1.9
F / 3	Keshawn Liggins	6-5/205/Sr.	Middletown, Id.	23.8 / 10.9
F / 21	Jack Frank	6-8/220/Jr.	Tampa, Fla.	2.6 / 6.7
G / 5	Jaymon Mason	6-3/185/R-Jr.	Edinboro, Pa.	15.7 / 4.9
G / 4	Anthony Coleman	6-3/210/Jr.	Wickliffe, Ohio	16.8 / 4.1

Top Reserves

F / 45	Trey Staunch	6-4/265/Jr.	West Middlesex, Pa.	6.9 / 3.1
G / 13	Alex Jay	6-3/180/Fr.	Edinboro, Pa.	3.9 / 1.7
G / 14	Jaryn Simpson	6-1/150/Fr.	Erie, Pa.	3.7 / 1.4

Scouting the Fighting Scots

Edinboro clinched a PSAC Tournament berth on Wednesday with a 78-70 win at Seton Hill on Wednesday. The Fighting Scots improved to 14-7 overall and 11-6 in the PSAC West with their third straight win. Edinboro has now qualified for postseason action three times in the last four years under head coach Pat Cleary.
The Fighting Scots are currently tied for third with Gannon in the PSAC West after being picked to finish eighth in the division in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll. The top six teams in each division qualify for the tournament, with the top two teams receiving first round byes. Indiana(Pa.) is currently in first place at 14-3 and Slippery Rock is second at 12-6, just a half-game ahead of Edinboro and Gannon. All four have clinched a playoff spot in the Western Division.
Three of Edinboro's losses have come on buzzer-beaters in the last month. The Kutztown setback came on a basket with 0.8 seconds remaining, as the Golden Bears prevailed 91-89. A week later, Edinboro again lost in the final seconds as IUP hit a 3-pointer with 1.8 ticks showing for a 70-67 win. Mercyhurst hit the game-winner with 13.2 seconds to play to hand the Scots an 80-79 defeat.
Edinboro's three-game winning streak includes an 87-72 win in overtime at Pitt-Johnstown ten days ago. The Fighting Scots were impressive in their first overtime game of the season. Edinboro outscored Pitt-Johnstown 15-0, as UPJ went 0-for-9 from the floor and Edinboro made 5-of-6 shots. Jaymon Mason and Anthony Coleman each had six points in overtime.
Edinboro is averaging 79.6 ppg., ranking eighth in the PSAC in scoring offense. The Fighting Scots had topped the 80-point mark in five straight games before being held to 69 points by Gannon, the top defensive team in the PSAC. They were then held to 67 by IUP, another of the conference's top defensive units. Mercyhurst came in ranked first in the PSAC and fourth in the country in scoring defense, but Edinboro would put 79 points on the board. The 87 points scored at Pitt-Johnstown marked the ninth time the Fighting Scots have scored 85-or-more points. Edinboro has moved up to sixth in the PSAC in scoring defense (74.1 ppg.).
Keshawn Liggins, Anthony Coleman, and Jaymon Mason are combining for over 56 points per game. Each is capable of putting up big numbers. They have combined for ten 30-point games. with Liggins reaching the mark in six contests. The latest came as he scored 36 points in an 86-73 win over Clarion. He dropped in a career-high 39 points vs. Seton Hill in the first meeting. Coleman posted a season-best 32-point effort at Gannon, and had 30 points in the upset of then eighth-ranked Shippensburg. When Coleman led Edinboro with 19 points at Lock Haven, it marked the only time this season Edinboro has not had a scorer reach 20 points. Mason has now had 15 career 30-point games after scoring a season-high 33 points against Kutztown, his second 30-point effort of the year. He had 32 points vs. Daemen.
Second all-time leading scorer and preseason All-American Jaymon Mason battled an early-season injury but is now healthy and again playing a key role. The senior guard had a season-high 33-point effort against Kutztown, making 13-of-15 free throws. He had 32 points at Daemen, dropping in 6-of-12 3-pointers while going 10-of-11 at the charity stripe. Mason is averaging 15.7 ppg. and is second on the team with 70 assists. He has made 48-of-134 3-pointers. The senior guard moved into second place in career scoring in the first meeting with Pitt-Johnstown and now has 1,861 career points, 94 points shy of breaking the school record. He is also fifth in career assists with 385.
Keshawn Liggins was recently named to the Bevo Francis Award Watch List, and was also selected the Division II Bulletin Player of the Month for January last week. He was named the PSAC West Co-Athlete of the Week on Monday. Liggins had his 13th double-double at Seton Hill with 29 points and 15 rebounds. Liggins has pulled down 10-or-more rebounds in 14 contests, and led the team in scoring in six straight games. The 6'5" senior leads the PSAC in scoring (23.8 ppg.) and ranks tenth in Division II, and is third and 12th, respectively, in rebounding (10.9 rpg.). He scored a career-high 39 points vs. Seton Hill and 38 against Charleston. Liggins is a transfer from Idaho State and has been an ironman, ranking fourth in the country in minutes per game (38.8). His 13 double-doubles ranks third in the PSAC and tenth in Division II.
Anthony Coleman is a multi-faceted scorer who can burn the opposition from deep, or drive strong to the basket. The transfer from Cincinnati State CC displayed the former vs. Gannon as he burned the Golden Knights for a season-high 32 points, making 7-of-12 3-pointers. The latter was in evidence against Clarion, as the 6'3" guard consistently drove to the hoop, ending the night with 24 points (8-of-12 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs). He added 10 rebounds for his first double-double. Coleman has had six games of 20-or-more points, including 30 points in an upset of Shippensburg. He is the top 3-point threat on the team, making 55-of-135 3-pointers. He ranks eighth in the PSAC in 3-point percentage (40.7 pct.) and is seventh in 3-pointers made per game (2.6).
The Fighting Scots posted the biggest win in Cleary's four-plus seasons as head coach earlier this year, an 88-86 triumph over eighth-ranked Shippensburg. Edinboro had previously upset 16th-ranked Indiana(Pa.), 79-77 in overtime, in 2014-15.
A two-year starter at right tackle on the offensive lineman Trey Staunch is now making a now for himself on the hardwood. A former standout in football and basketball at West Middlesex High School, the 6'4", 265 lb. junior is playing a larger role each game. On Wednesday night, he battled Seton Hill's Spencer Casson, and while giving away several inches, he finished with his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. He is averaging 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds over his last five games and is now averaging 6.9 ppg. and 3.1 rpg. in just 16 minutes per game. He is an excellent free throw shooter, hitting 80.8 percent at the charity stripe. Staunch joined the basketball team at the conclusion of the football season.
The combination of Jack Frank and Staunch is providing the Fighting Scots with plenty of production in the post. Frank, a 6'8" junior, is Edinboro's second-leading rebounder at 6.7 per game. He pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds in the first meeting with California(Pa.) and added 11 vs. Clarion.
Mike Beck has displayed the ability to knock down the open 3-pointer, making 27-of-75 while averaging 5.8 ppg. The 6'4" senior scored 19 points in the win over Millersville, and had a 13-point effort against Clarion. His biggest contributions have come on defense, as he has been assigned some of the top scorers in the PSAC.
The freshman tandem of Alex Jay and Jaryn Simpson possesses some impressive genes and have provided the Fighting Scots with valuable minutes. Jay is the son of Sarah (Bishop) Jay, who ranks fourth in career scoring for the Edinboro women's basketball team, Simpson's father Bronze, is one of the all-time leading scorers and rebounders at Gannon. Jay, a 6'3" guard, is averaging 3.9 ppg. in 14.2 minutes per game and has made 17-of-45 3-pointers. Simpson, a 6'1" guard, is averaging 3.7 ppg. with 42 assists in 15.2 minutes per game.

Scouting The Golden Knights

Gannon was recently the hottest team in the PSAC with nine straight wins, including an 83-69 decision over Edinboro in the first meeting. The Golden Knights come in with a 15-8 overall record and are 11-6 in the PSAC West, tied with Edinboro for third place. Gannon was picked to finish second in the PSAC West after posting an 18-10 overall record a year ago, falling to Kutztown in overtime in the PSAC semifinals. The Golden Knights played in the conference final four for the third time during the last four years.
The Golden Knights posted a 74-63 win over California(Pa.) on Wednesday as five players scored in double figures. Zay Jackson led the way with 18 points, and Damon Miraud had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Gannon has won ten straight games at home and are 10-1 at the Hammermill Center. On the road, the Golden Knights are 5-6, with losses in their last three games.
Long-time head coach John Reilly holds the record for career victories and is also the longest-tenured coach at Gannon, now in his 13th season. He has 224 victories at Gannon and 456 in his career.
Gannon is the top defensive team in the PSAC and 11th in Division II, allowing an average of 64.3 ppg. The Golden Knights have held 19 opponents under 70 points, and only Wheeling Jesuit in the season opener topped the 80-point mark, and that contest went into overtime. Gannon ranks 15th in the PSAC in scoring at 70.7 ppg.
John Reilly's teams traditionally rank among the best rebounding teams in the conference, and this year is no exception. Gannon has a +9.3 rebounding margin, good for second in the PSAC and 10th in Division II. The rebounding dominance was clearly in evidence against California(Pa.), as the Golden Knights outrebounded the Vulcans, 35-21.
The Golden Knights showcase three players scoring in double figures, led by Zay Jackson. A 6'0" senior who was a second team All-PSAC West selection last year, Jackson comes in at 14.9 ppg. He is an outstanding 3-point threat and has made 49-of-137 this year. Jair Green is next at 13.4 ppg. The 6'4" senior is a transfer from Cabrini who played in just eight games last year, scoring 10 points. Evan Phoenix, a former Division I transfer from Central Connecticut State, is the inside presence. The 6'9" junior averages 13.2 ppg. and a team-leading 8.9 rpg., good for fifth in the PSAC. He is shooting 52.4 percent from the floor, which is seventh in the conference.
Reilly has only started six different players this season, but the veteran coach has plenty of depth to call on. Eight players are averaging 13-or-more minutes, and he regular calls on 11-12 players.

Jaymon Mason in the Record Books SEASON RECORDS | CAREER RECORDS

CAREER SCORING: Second all-time with 1,861 points.
CAREER SCORING AVERAGE: Fifth at 18.6 ppg.
CAREER 3-POINTERS: Is second in career 3-pointers made with 215 3-pointers made and is second in career 3-pointers attempted with 561. Is also tied for seventh in career 3-point field goal percentage at 38.3 percent
CAREER FREE THROWS MADE: Broke Bryan Theriot's school record of 402 free throws made in the season opener. Mason now holds the record with 476.
CAREER FREE THROWS ATTEMPTED: Ranks first with 570 free throw attempts.
CAREER FREE THROW PERCENTAGE: Ranks sixth at 83.5 percent
CAREER ASSISTS: Is fifth with 385
CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE: Ranks sixth with 585
CAREER FIELD GOALS ATTEMPTED: Ranks fourth with 1,381

NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING SCOTS: Wednesday, February 14 vs. Slippery Rock -- 7:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Jack Frank: F; 6' 8"; Junior

#5 Jaymon Mason: G; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

#4 Anthony Coleman: G; 6' 3"; Junior

#13 Alex Jay: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

#3 Keshawn Liggins: G/F; 6' 5"; Senior

#14 Jaryn Simpson: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

#45 Trey Staunch: F; 6' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#21 Jack Frank
: 6' 8"; Junior
: F

#5 Jaymon Mason
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#4 Anthony Coleman
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

#13 Alex Jay
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G

#3 Keshawn Liggins
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G/F

#14 Jaryn Simpson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G

#45 Trey Staunch
: 6' 4"; Junior
: F

Edinboro University Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

Edinboro's Wish -- A Win over Gannon on Make-A-Wish Awareness Day

Players Mentioned

#21 Jack Frank

#5 Jaymon Mason

#4 Anthony Coleman

#13 Alex Jay

#3 Keshawn Liggins

#14 Jaryn Simpson

#45 Trey Staunch

Players Mentioned

#21 Jack Frank

#5 Jaymon Mason

#4 Anthony Coleman

#13 Alex Jay

#3 Keshawn Liggins

#14 Jaryn Simpson

#45 Trey Staunch