Matt Durisko

Women's Basketball 2/12/2019 3:33:00 PM Trey Staunch, Sports Information Intern

Fighting Scots Look to Move Closer to PSAC Playoff Berth, Hosting Seton Hill

After a one game road trip, Edinboro is back home Wednesday night to take on Seton Hill. After a four-game homestand, Edinboro went on the road and erased a 19-point deficit after one period to hand 17th-ranked California(Pa.) its first home loss in two seasons with a 62-61 victory. The win boosted Edinboro to 15-6 overall and 10-5 in the PSAC West.
Seton Hill is also coming off a win on Saturday, as the Griffins posted a 97-80 victory over Slippery Rock. Seton Hill comes into the contest with an overall record of 15-8 and is 9-7 in PSAC action. Edinboro moved up one spot in the latest D2SIDA Atlantic Region poll, as they are currently eighth. Seton Hill made a jump as well, as they climbed from tenth to ninth.
Both Edinboro and Seton Hill are battling for positions in the PSAC Tournament. The Fighting Scots are currently third in the Western Division, two games behind second-place California(Pa.). The Griffins are fourth in the division. The top teams receive first round byes, with the third and fourth place teams hosting first round contests.
Michaela Barnes led a trio of Fighting Scots in double figures against Cal. The 5'8" guard kept Edinboro in the game for the first three quarters, scoring 25 of her game-high 27 points. She made 10-of-18 shots, including Edinboro's two 3-pointers, and was 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. Ciara Rosten added 16 points, with 10 of those in the decisive fourth quarter when Edinboro outscored the Vulcans, 16-7. In addition, the redshirt senior brought down six boards and blocked three shots. She also limited one of the top scorers in the PSAC, Cal's Seairra Barrett, to eight points. Jontay Walton was the third Fighting Scot in double figures, as she contributed 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Edinboro ranks third in the PSAC in scoring offense, averaging 78.0 ppg., and is ninth in the conference in scoring defense at 69.0 ppg. Seton Hill comes into the contest ranked second in the PSAC in scoring offense and 14th in Division II at 79.1 ppg. The Griffins ranks 11th in scoring defense (70.4 ppg.).
Three of the top eight scorers in the PSAC will be sharing the floor Wednesday night. Michaela Barnes comes in ranked fourth at 20.3 ppg., with backcourt partner Jontay Walton ranked seventh at 18.2 ppg. for the Fighting Scots. For Seton Hill, graduate student Megan Marecic comes into the contest ranked eighth in the PSAC at 18.0 ppg. She is also ranked first in the PSAC in three-point field goal percentage (38.0 pct.) and free throw percentage (91.8 pct.)
For the first time in program history, Edinboro has four players with 1,000-or-more career points on the roster. Three of those players accomplished the feat this season. Michelle Jahn ranks 15th at Edinboro with 1,313 career points. Walton is 21st at 1,201 points, Barnes stands 27th with 1,100 points, and Ciara Rosten is currently 28th with 1,071. All told, the foursome have combined for 4,682 career points at Edinboro.

On the Radio/Video

The Edinboro-Seton Hill game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9 with Madi Gross on the call. The game can also be viewed live as part of the PSAC Network.

All-Time Series vs. Seton Hill
Edinboro leads 19-1
First Meeting: 1990-91 – Edinboro 98, Seton Hill 74
Last Meeting: 2018-19 - Edinboro 69, Seton Hill 64
Current Streak: Edinboro has won the last four meetings.
Wheeler vs. Seton Hill: 1-0

LAST MEETING
January 5, 2019 – Edinboro 69, Seton Hill 64 at Greensburg, Pa. -- Box Score | Recap

After trailing for much of the game, Edinboro used a big fourth quarter to claim its sixth straight win, a 69-64 triumph at Seton Hill. In a game featuring two of the highest scoring teams in the PSAC, defense was the name of the game for three quarters, with both teams shooting under 30 percent for the first 30 minutes. The Fighting Scots caught fire in the fourth quarter, however, making 10-of-14 shots while outscoring the Griffins, 30-20. A 13-3 run gave the Fighting Scots the lead for good, and they would hold Seton Hill scoreless for almost four minutes. Michaela Barnes led four players in double figures with 21 points. Ciara Rosten added her third double-double of the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds, including 10 points in the decisive fourth quarter. Jontay Walton had 13 points and Michelle Jahn finished with 12. Megan Marecic led Seton Hill with 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Head Coach: Callie Wheeler (Edinboro '06) -- 15-6, 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

After having their four-game winning streak snapped a week ago, the Fighting Scots went on the road and erased a 19-point deficit after one quarter to hand 17th-ranked California(Pa.) its first home loss in two seasons with a 62-61 victory on Saturday afternoon. Edinboro is now 15-6 overall and 10-5 in the PSAC West. The win pushes the Scots just two games behind Cal for the second playoff spot in the PSAC West, with Edinboro owning a sweep of the Vulcans. The Fighting Scots inched closer to clinching a tenth consecutive PSAC playoff berth.
Michaela Barnes led a trio of Fighting Scots in double figures. The 5'8" guard scored 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting and 5-of-5 from the charity stripe, with 25 of those coming in the first three quarters. Ciara Rosten added 16 points, brought down six boards, and blocked three shots in the final stanza. She scored 10 of Edinboro's 16 points in the fourth quarter. Jontay Walton was the third Fighting Scot in double figures, as she contributed 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Edinboro showcases two of the top scorers in the PSAC in Michaela Barnes and Jontay Walton. Barnes comes into the game ranked fourth at 20.3 ppg., while Walton is averaging 18.2 ppg., good for seventh. Both have been frequent visitors to the free throw line, with Barnes making 117-of-140 and Walton 112-of-132. Walton is third in the conference in free throw percentage (84.8 pct.), with Barnes sixth (83.6 pct.). A 5'5" guard, Barnes is shooting 52.5 percent from the field (148-of-282), good for fifth in the PSAC. Walton, a 5'6" guard, stands third in the PSAC in steals (2.8 per game), fourth in assists (4.6 per game), and is 12th in 3-point field goals made per game (1.9). Walton has scored in double figures in all 21 games this season, and Edinboro's last 37 games dating back to last season.
Michelle Jahn provides Edinboro with a third standout at guard. The 5'7" senior is averaging 11.7 ppg. and is the team's top 3-point threat with 46 in 131 attempts. She is fifth in the PSAC in 3-point field goal percentage (35.1 pct.) and sixth in 3-pointers made per game (2.2). In addition, she stands seventh in free throw percentage (82.8 pct.). Jahn ranks second in career 3-pointers made (242) and career 3-pointers attempted (680), and seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (35.6 pct.).
Ciara Rosten has battled injuries this season, missing four contests, but comes in averaging 13.2 ppg. and a team-leading 7.8 rpg., good for seventh in the PSAC. She stands 12th in career rebounds (702) and second in career-blocked shots (211). The reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Year and Defensive Athlete of the Year ranks second in the PSAC in blocks per game (2.5) and in total blocks (43).
Bridgette Shaffer provides the Fighting Scots with another deadly outside threat, and though just 5'8", is averaging 7.0 rpg., good for 14th in the PSAC. The redshirt junior is averaging 8.1 ppg. and has made 36-of-89 3-pointers.

Scouting the Griffins

Seton Hill picked up the season sweep over Slippery Rock Saturday afternoon, as they routed The Rock, 97-80. The Griffins are winners of three straight to improve to 15-8 overall and 9-7 in the PSAC West.
Head coach Mark Katarski guided Seton Hill to its best win total in program history last season at 20-10 overall and 14-8 in the PSAC West. Under his guidance, the Griffins have qualified for the PSAC Tournament in each of their first five seasons in the league. In his sixth year as head coach, he's compiled an 90-77 overall record. His resume also includes the 2016-17 PSAC West Coach of the Year award. Prior to his arrival at Seton Hill, he spent six seasons as the head coach at Division III Chatham, and has an 145-179 overall record. Kartaski also spent two seasons an assistant coach on the Division I Niagara women's basketball team.
Seton Hill is among the leaders in Division II in scoring offense. The Griffins are averaging 79.9 ppg, which ranks second in the PSAC and 14th in the nation. Defensively, they have given up 70.4 ppg., which is 11th in the PSAC.
Seton Hill ranks first in the PSAC in 3-point field goals attempted (577), 3-point field goals made (193), and 3-point field goals per game (8.4). They are currently ranked fourth in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage at 33.4 pct.
Megan Marecic, a graduate student transfer from Drexel, is Seton Hill's leading scorer, rebounder, and 3-point shooter. She is averaging 18.0 ppg., 7.3 rpg. (11th in the PSAC), and has made 68-of-179 (38.0 pct.) 3-pointers. Marecic leads the PSAC in free throw shooting at 91.8 pct. (56-of-61).
Cheyenne Trest, the reigning PSAC West Freshman of the Year, is contributing 12.5 ppg., second on the team. The 5'7" guard also leads the team in assists with 75. As a freshman, she was named the PSAC West Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week nine times.

Next for the Fighting Scots

Edinboro plays its next two contests on the road, beginning at local rival Gannon on Saturday, February 16 at 1:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#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

#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 Move Closer to PSAC Playoff Berth, Hosting Seton Hill

Players Mentioned

#2 Michaela Barnes

#20 Michelle Jahn

#15 Ciara Rosten

#1 Bridgette Shaffer

#5 Jontay Walton

Players Mentioned

#2 Michaela Barnes

#20 Michelle Jahn

#15 Ciara Rosten

#1 Bridgette Shaffer

#5 Jontay Walton