McKenna Ennis

Women's Basketball 1/8/2019 9:38:00 AM Chris Slack, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Fighting Scots Look to Win Seven in a Row with Final PSAC Crossover Contest at Kutztown

Edinboro heads to Kutztown for its final PSAC crossover contest of the season on Wednesday, January 9. The Fighting Scots enter the game having won their last seven contests, most recently defeating Seton Hill over the weekend, 69-64.
Edinboro improved to 9-2 overall and 5-1 in the PSAC West with the win over the Griffins. The win has Edinboro tied with California(Pa.) for second in the Western Division. The Fighting Scots currently rank among teams "also receiving votes" in the WBCA Division II Top 25 and are seventh in the latest D2SIDA Atlantic Region poll. The Golden Bears saw a three-game winning streak snapped at Bloomsburg on Saturday, 81-74. The loss dropped them to 6-8 overall and 4-3 in the PSAC East. Kutztown is currently in a three-way tie for second place in the Eastern Division with East Stroudsburg and Lock Haven.
Ciara Rosten and Michaela Barnes are quietly approaching their 1,000th and 900th career point, respectively. Against the Griffins, Rosten improved her career point total to 950 with 16 points, while grabbing 15 rebounds for her third double-double of the year. Barnes scored 20+ points for the fourth straight game with a team-high 21 points. The junior has increased her career scoring total to 892 points.
Two other Fighting Scots contributed double figures against Seton Hill. Jontay Walton added 13 points, six boards, and three steals. The 5'6" guard has scored in double digits in each game this season and in 27 consecutive contests, which dates back to last season. She recently scored her 1,000th career point as a Fighting Scot in Edinboro's 99-92 upset of 12th-ranked California(Pa.), becoming the 28th Fighting Scot to score 1,000 points in program history. Michelle Jahn, the 27th Fighting Scot to eclipse 1,000 career points, also scored double figures at Seton Hill. The senior scored 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and blocked two shots. Jahn is currently on a free throw shooting streak, having made her last 20 free throws.
A year ago, the Fighting Scots finished with a 27-4 record a year ago, winning the PSAC championship and advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional. Four starters return from that squad. All-American Ciara Rosten leads the way. The 6'2" senior was an honorable mention WBCA All-American, while also being named the PSAC West Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to Rosten, Jontay Walton was a first-team All-PSAC West choice, while Michelle Jahn and Michaela Barnes were second-team selections.
Last year, Kutztown had its best winning season in eight years, going 18-12 overall and 12-10 in the PSAC East. The Golden Bears advanced to the PSAC Tournament for the fifth time in six seasons and made their first appearance in the quarterfinal round since the 2014-15 campaign. This season, Kutztown was picked to finish first in the eastern division in the coaches' preseason poll.
Edinboro is tied for first in the PSAC with Indiana(Pa.) and ranks eighth in Division II, averaging 82.8 ppg. The Fighting Scots are eighth in the PSAC in defense, giving 69.3 ppg. Kutztown is ranked 16th in the conference in offense, scoring 62.4 ppg., but is surrendering 63.7 ppg. For fifth in the league.

On the Radio/Video

The Edinboro-Kutztown game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9, with Madi Gross providing the commentary. In addition, the contest will be streamed live as part of the PSAC Sports Network.

All-Time Series vs. Kutztown

Edinboro leads 19-3
First Meeting: 1988-89 – Edinboro 82, Kutztown 70
Last Meeting: 2017-18, 2018 – Edinboro 86, Kutztown 65
Current Streak: Edinboro won the last contest
Wheeler vs. Kutztown: 0-0

Last Meeting: January 6, 2018 -- No. 15 Edinboro 86, Kutztown 65 at Edinboro, Pa. BOX SCORE | RECAP

Edinboro opened the game on a 17-7 run, making 8-of-10 field goals over the opening 5:50 in an 86-65 win over Kutztown. The Fighting Scots never trailed in the contest and led by as much as 21 points in the fourth quarter.
Michaela Barnes and Ciara Rosten scored the first eight points of the game. Barnes scored two layups, while Rosten laid in a basket and scored on a jumper. Cheniya Sharpe added four points on two layups during the run, while Michelle Jahn made a 3-pointer and Jontay Walton laid in a basket.
The Fighting Scots ended the first quarter up 24-14, shooting 69.2 percent (9-of-13) from the field. Eight of Kutztown's 14 points in the frame were scored by Rylee Derr, a second-team All-PSAC East selection in 2017-18.
Edinboro held a 61-46 advantage after 30 minutes, but its lead was quickly cut to single digits in the fourth quarter. Kutztown trimmed the lead single digits at 61-53, as the Golden Bears opened the period on a 7-0 run. However, Edinboro responded with five straight points on a Rosten layup and a Sharpe three-point play. That gave the Fighting Scots a double-digit lead the rest of the game.
Five Fighting Scots scored in double figures. Jontay Walton scored a game-high 21 points, including 17 in the first half, shooting 4-of-8 overall, including 2-of-2 on 3-pointers, and a perfect 11-of-11 at the free throw line. The 5'6" guard also had four assists and four steals. Cheniya Sharpe came off the bench for a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. The 5'11" forward shot 5-of-7 from the field and 5-of-5 at the charity stripe.
Ciara Rosten posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards. She also dished out four assists and blocked four shots. Michaela Barnes contributed 14 points and Ayana Vaughn scored a career-high 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, which included going 3-of-5 from behind the arc.
The Fighting Scots shot 40.3 percent (27-of-67) overall, 9-of-22 on 3-pointers, and 23-of-26 at the foul line. The Golden Bears connected on 41.1 percent (23-of-56) of their baskets, 6-of-22 3-pointers, and 13-of-16 free throws.
Edinboro won the battle of the boards, 46-28, and had a 15-3 advantage in second-chance points, and led 35-27 in bench points. Both teams scored 32 points in the paint.
Rylee Derr led Kutztown with 17 points and three steals. Taylor Thames also scored in double figures with 13 points. Keifonna Ferguson was the leading rebounder for the Golden Bears, collecting five boards.

Head Coach: Callie Wheeler (Edinboro '06) -- 9-2, 1st year

Callie Wheeler was officially named Edinboro's fifth head coach on May 23, 2018, replacing long-time head coach Stan Swank. The former Edinboro standout served as Swank's assistant coach for the previous 11 years before assuming the head coaching duties. Edinboro enjoyed great success during Wheeler's 11 seasons at Swank's side, posting a 239-86 record in her 11 seasons on the bench. That includes a string of eight straight 20-win seasons, including last year when the Fighting Scots ended the season with a 27-4 record. Edinboro won its fourth PSAC Championship in her 11 years and went on to reach the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional semifinals. It marked the fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in her tenure as assistant coach, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2013-14.
Any doubts of Wheeler's ability to take over as head coach were alleviated when Wheeler filled in for a pair of games in late January last year. With Swank away from the team for his father's funeral, Wheeler guided the Fighting Scots to a 74-52 win at Slippery Rock, followed by a 73-54 victory over a Mercyhurst team, which had defeated California (Pa.) in its previous game.
Wheeler played for the Fighting Scots from 2002-06, and ranks as one of the all-time greatest players in Edinboro history. She became Edinboro's sixth Kodak/WBCA All-American as she earned honorable mention All-American honors. That capped a brilliant senior season in which she was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Year and was a first-team All-PSAC West selection. In addition, she was selected as the Nancy Acker Award winner in 2006.
The 5'5" guard finished as Edinboro's second-leading scorer at 12.5 ppg. as a senior, and also added 5.1 rpg. More importantly, she set a school record with 249 assists while turning the ball over just 89 times. She led the PSAC in both assists and steals, finishing with 95 in the latter category.
Edinboro had had just one triple-double in its history prior to 2005-06 when Wheeler accomplished the fete twice. The first came against Seton Hill (20 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists), followed by 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in her final home appearance vs. Shippensburg.
As a junior, Wheeler earned second-team All-PSAC West accolades, after averaging 10.4 ppg. and handing out 225 assists, along with recording 91 steals. The assists rank third all-time. She led the Fighting Scots to a 21-10 record that season, along with the team's first berth in the NCAA Division II Playoffs since 1998.
Wheeler likely ranks at the top in a long line of standout point guards at Edinboro. While not taking over as the starter until her junior season, she concluded her career with 682 assists, despite missing the final seven games of the 2003-04 campaign due to an injury. That figure is second all-time in the PSAC. In addition, Wheeler finished with 283 career steals, a figure which ranks fourth all-time at Edinboro. She fell just shy of reaching 1,000 points for her career, finishing with 932.
The Iorfido name (Wheeler's maiden name) is well known in Edinboro Athletics, where her family has had quite an impact. Her father, Rich, was a standout linebacker for the Edinboro football team from 1970-72 and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in April 2007. Callie joined her father as a member of the Edinboro Hall of Fame in October 2016. Younger sister Mandie was a standout catcher on the softball team, and a two-time All-PSAC West performer.

Scouting the Fighting Scots

Edinboro extended its winning streak to six games on Saturday with a 69-64 victory at Seton Hill. The contest was the first of a three-game road trip for the Fighting Scots, who improved to 9-2 overall and 4-1 in the PSAC West with the win. Edinboro, who was picked to win the western division in the coaches' preseason poll, is currently tied with California(Pa.) for second in the Western Division. The Fighting Scots are among teams "also receiving votes" in the WBCA Division II Top 25 and rank seventh for the latest D2SIDA Atlantic Region poll.
Edinboro is one of the top scoring teams in Division II. The Fighting Scots are tied with Indiana(Pa.) for first in the PSAC and rank eighth in the country, averaging 81.5 ppg. Defensively, the Fighting Scots are allowing 68.8 ppg. for eighth in the conference. In addition, opposing teams have shot 38.7 percent from the floor against the Scots. That is the third-best defensive shooting percentage in the league
Edinboro is the second-best three-point shooting team in the conference with a 35.8 pct. clip (88-of-246) from behind the arc.
Against Seton Hill, five Fighting Scots scored in double figures. Michaela Barnes led Edinboro in scoring for the fourth straight game with 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting. The 5'5" junior has been Edinboro's top scorer over the last four games, averaging 20+ points and shooting over 50.0 pct. (51.7 pct., ranks fourth in the conference) overall. Barnes is also the Fighting Scots' leading scorer, averaging 19.9 ppg. for sixth in the PSAC. A second-team All-PSAC West selection and the PSAC Tournament MVP a year ago, she has quickly climbed up the career scoring list. In two-plus seasons, Barnes has scored 892 points.
Ciara Rosten finished the contest with her third double-double of the season, scoring 16 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. In addition, the 6'2" forward dished out a game-high seven assists and blocked four shots. She played a key role in the Fighting Scots fighting back from an 11-point deficit, as she scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. The reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Year and Defense Athlete of the Year, Rosten is approaching her 1,000th career point with 950. One of four Fighting Scots averaging double figures per game this season with 12.9 ppg., the redshirt senior leads the Fighting Scots and the PSAC in rebounds per game (9.0 rpg.) and blocks per game (2.0).
Jontay Walton added 13 points for the Fighting Scots, which increased her career scoring total to 1,015 points. She has scored in double figures in all 11 games this season. A graduate student, Walton has named a first-team All-PSAC West selection a year ago. She ranks second on the team and ninth in the league in scoring with 17.9 ppg. Her 33 steals and 4.9 assists per game rank second and third in the conference, respectively. In addition, the 5'6" guard ranks fifth in the PSAC in 3-point field goal percentage with a 38.7 pct. clip (24-of-62), and is sixth in free throw shooting at 85.1 percent (57-of-67).
Michelle Jahn contributed 12 points and eight rebounds at Seton Hill. She also made 4-of-4 free throws, increasing her streak of consecutive free throws made to 20 in a row. Overall, Jahn is shooting 85.4 pct. (41-of-48) at the line this season. Her free throw shooting percentage ranks fifth in the PSAC. Averaging 14.2 ppg., Jahn is Edinboro's top 3-point threat. She is shooting 35.2 pct. (25-of-71) on 3-pointers, which is seventh-best in the conference. A second team All-PSAC West selection last season, the senior ranks 18th in career scoring with 1,224 points. She also ranks third in career 3-pointers made (221) and 3-pointers attempted (620), and is seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (.356).
Bridgette Shaffer has averaged 10.0 ppg. and 6.5 rpg., since becoming a starter nine games ago. During that stretch, she has grabbed at least five boards in nine consecutive contests, including nine against Seton Hill.
Edinboro looks to extend a streak of eight straight seasons with 20-or-more wins. During that period, the Fighting Scots own a 193-50 record. They won their fifth PSAC championship a year ago, and fourth since 2011.

Scouting the Golden Bears

Kutztown saw its three-game winning streak snapped on Saturday with an 81-74 loss at Bloomsburg. The Golden Bears are 6-8 overall and 4-3 in the PSAC East.
Head coach Janet Malouf is the winningest coach in program history. In 25 seasons, she has gone 359-319. A three-time PSAC East Coach of the Year, Malouf led the Golden Bears to their best win total since the 2009-10 campaign a year ago, going 18-2 overall and 12-10 in the PSAC East. The Golden Bears advanced to their second straight PSAC Tournament and the program's eighth in 10 years. Their season wrapped up with an 82-71 loss at West Chester in the quarterfinals.
Due to the four starters from last year's team returning for the 2018-19 campaign, Kutztown was picked to finish first in the eastern division in the coaches' preseason poll. They are currently tied for second in the east with Lock Haven and East Stroudsburg.
Rylee Derr leads Kutztown and ranks eighth in the PSAC in scoring, averaging 18.4 ppg. That is an increase of 4.8 ppg. from last year. Derr is also ranked second on the team in rebounds per game (6.8) and total assists (38). A year ago, she finished the season leading the conference in 3-pointers per game with 2.9 per contest. This season, she is still averaging 2.9 3-pointers per game for third in the league. A second team All-PSAC East selection as a freshman last season, she's shooting 35.9 pct. (83-of-231) overall, nearly half of her shots have been from behind the arc, as she's made 41 3's. That is 11th-best in Division II.
Karen Lapkiewicz is Kutztown's only other player to average double figures this season with 10.2 ppg.
Kutztown is averaging 62.4 ppg. for 16th in the conference, but ranks fifth in the PSAC in scoring defense, allowing 63.7 ppg. Four of their losses have come by seven points or less.
The Golden Bears rank fifth in the PSAC in turnovers forced per game with 19.4.

Next for the Fighting Scots

The Fighting Scots wrap up a three-game road trip on Saturday, January 12 at Pitt-Johnstown. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

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

#2 Michaela Barnes: G; 5' 5"; Junior

#20 Michelle Jahn: G; 5' 7"; Senior

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

#1 Bridgette Shaffer: G/F; 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior

#5 Jontay Walton: G; 5' 6"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

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

#2 Michaela Barnes
: 5' 5"; Junior
: G

#20 Michelle Jahn
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

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

#1 Bridgette Shaffer
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior
: G/F

#5 Jontay Walton
: 5' 6"; Graduate Student
: G

Edinboro University Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

Fighting Scots Look to Win Seven in a Row with Final PSAC Crossover Contest at Kutztown

Players Mentioned

#24 Ayana Vaughn

#2 Michaela Barnes

#20 Michelle Jahn

#15 Ciara Rosten

#1 Bridgette Shaffer

#5 Jontay Walton

Players Mentioned

#24 Ayana Vaughn

#2 Michaela Barnes

#20 Michelle Jahn

#15 Ciara Rosten

#1 Bridgette Shaffer

#5 Jontay Walton