Matt Durisko

Women's Basketball 2/19/2019 2:27:00 PM Trey Staunch, Sports Information Intern

Edinboro Looks to Complete Season Sweep at Slippery Rock

With a 79-66 victory over Gannon on Saturday, Edinboro clinched its tenth straight PSAC Tournament berth. The Fighting Scots have won three straight games and seven of their last eight contests. They hit the road once again to take on Slippery Rock on Wednesday, wrapping up a stretch of three road games in the span of four games. Edinboro comes into the contest with a 17-6 overall record and is 12-5 in the PSAC West. The Fighting Scots are currently ranked seventh in the latest D2SIDA Atlantic Region poll. Slippery Rock suffered its third loss in its last four contests on Saturday, falling at Clarion, 92-78. SRU comes into the contest with a 10-14 overall record and 8-10 in the PSAC West.
First-year head coach Callie Wheeler clinched her first playoff appearance since taking over the throne from Stan Swank. Wheeler served as an assistant coach on the previous nine appearances. It is not, however, the first time Wheeler will guide a team at Slippery Rock. A year ago, she handled the coaching duties while Swank was at his father's funeral. She would guide the Fighting Scots to a 74-52 win at Morrow Field House. This year's 17 wins represent by a record by a first-year head coach. Swank held the previous record of 14 wins in 1988-89.
The Fighting Scots stand third in the PSAC West, with Indiana(Pa.) first at 16-1 in league play, and California(Pa.) second at 14-3. Edinboro's win over Gannon gives them a three-game cushion over Seton Hill for the third seed in the Western Division, and assured Edinboro a home playoff game. The top teams in each division receive first round byes, with the third and fourth place teams hosting first round contests. Edinboro looks to defend its 2018 PSAC Championship. Slippery Rock is in the hunt for one of the three remaining playoff spots, currently tied for fifth with Pitt-Johnstown at 8-10. Gannon (7-11) and Mercyhurst (6-11) are also in the hunt.
The Fab Four of Michelle Jahn, Jontay Walton, Michaela Barnes, and Ciara Rosten have combined for 4,816 career points at Edinboro. It is the first time an Edinboro team has had four 1,000-point scorers at the same time. Jahn has 1,325 career points, with Walton at 1,241 points, Barnes 1,144, and Rosten 1,106. Jahn ranks 14th in career scoring, Walton is 19th, Barnes stands 26th, and Rosten is 27th. Barnes is averaging a team-leading 20.5 ppg., good for fourth in the PSAC and 18th in Division II, while Walton adds 18.4 ppg., which is sixth in the conference.
Michaela Barnes was named the PSAC West Co-Athlete of the Week after leading a quartet of Fighting Scots in double figures at Gannon. She shot 8-of-14 from the floor and was 4-of-4 at the charity stripe for a game-high 21 points. Jontay Walton contributed 17 points. She made 5-of-10 field goals, but got hot from three-point territory. The graduate student made 3-of-4 3-pointers. The freshmen tandem of Lillian Young and Monica Brown started at Gannon and played key roles in the win, as each finished with a season-high in points. Young scored 14 points, shooting 6-of-9 from the floor, to go with four rebounds and a steal. Brown shot 3-of-4 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from long range, and was 4-of-4 at the line for 12 points.
Edinboro ranks second in the PSAC in scoring offense, averaging 78.5 ppg., and is ninth in the conference in scoring defense at 68.9 ppg. Slippery Rock comes into the contest ranked fifth in the PSAC in scoring offense at 70.0 ppg., along with 17th in scoring defense at 75.5 ppg.

On the Radio/Video

The Edinboro-Slippery Rock game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9, with Madi Gross and Chase Rowland providing the commentary. The game can also be viewed live as part of the PSAC Network.

All-Time Series vs. Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock leads 53-49
First Meeting: 1967-68 – Slippery Rock 53, Edinboro 29
Last Meeting: 2018-19 - Edinboro 85, Slippery Rock 64
Current Streak: Edinboro has won 19 of the last 21 meetings.
Wheeler vs. Slippery Rock: 1-0

LAST MEETING
January 26, 2019 – Edinboro 85, Slippery Rock 64 at Edinboro, Pa. -- Box Score | Recap

Edinboro had a strong first quarter performance, making 10-of-15 field goals, including 6-of-9 3-pointers for a 27-17 advantage. Slippery Rock fought back, cutting the deficit to five with an 8-0 run early in the period. After leading, 41-35 at halftime, the Rock came to within six points twice in the early stages of the third quarter. That would be as close as they got over the final 20 minutes. Edinboro never trailed in the contest and led by as much as 23 points in the fourth quarter. Five Edinboro players scored in double figures. Michaela Barnes led all players with 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting and 7-of-8 free throws. Jontay Walton finished with her first double-double of the season with 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds, while Bridgette Shaffer recorded her fourth career double-double with 11 points and 12 boards. Ciara Rosten added 19 points and nine rebounds and Michelle Jahn contributed 17 points, making four 3-pointers.

Head Coach: Callie Wheeler (Edinboro '06) -- 17-6, 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

Edinboro used an overpowering second quarter to erase an eight-point deficit and knock of local rival Gannon on Saturday, with a 79-66 victory at the Hammermill Center. The Fighting Scots used a 10-0 run to start their comeback as Michelle Jahn started the run with a layup, followed by back-to-back 3-pointers from Jontay Walton. Michaela Barnes' layup capped the run. The win moved the Fighting Scots to 17-6 overall and 12-5 in the PSAC West. With the victory, Edinboro not only clinched a spot in the PSAC Tournament for the tenth straight year, but also secured a home playoff game.
Edinboro outscored the Lady Knights, 18-8, in the second period and used a strong defensive performance in the quarter, limiting Gannon to 2-of-9 from the floor. In addition, the Scots forced the Lady Knights into eight turnovers, which led to 14 points. For the game, Michaela Barnes led a quartet of Fighting Scots in double figures. She shot 8-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-4 at the charity stripe for a game-high 21 points. Jontay Walton contributed 17 points, making 3-of-4 3-pointers.
The freshmen duo of Lillian Young and Monica Brown played a key role in the win, as each finished with a season-high in points. Both players started the game with second-leading rebounder Bridgette Shaffer out due to illness and Michelle Jahn coming off the bench. Young scored 14 points, shooting 6-of-9 from the floor, to go with four rebounds and a steal. Brown shot 3-of-4 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from long range, and was 4-of-4 at the line for 12 points.
Ciara Rosten fell just shy of a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds. She added a game-high six assists and four blocks while controlling play in the paint in the second half.
Edinboro showcases two of the top scorers in the PSAC in Michaela Barnes and Jontay Walton. Barnes, the PSAC West Co-Athlete of the Week this week, heads into Wednesday ranked fourth in the conference and 16th in Division II at 20.5 ppg., while Walton is averaging 18.4 ppg., good for sixth in the PSAC. The two guards have been frequent visitors at the free throw line, with Walton making 118-of-139 (84.9 pct.) and Barnes making 123-of-144 (84.2 pct.). They are ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the conference in free throw shooting. A 5'5" guard, Barnes is shooting 52.9 percent from the field (166-of-314), good for fourth in the PSAC. Walton, a 5'6" guard, stands third in the PSAC in steals (2.8 per game), fourth in assists (4.4 per game), and is 12th in 3-point field goals made per game (1.9). Walton has scored in double figures in all 23 games this season, and Edinboro's last 39 games dating back to last season.
Michelle Jahn provides Edinboro with a third standout at guard. The 5'7" senior is averaging 11.2 ppg. and is the team's top 3-point threat with 46 in 135 attempts. She is fourth in the PSAC in 3-point field goal percentage (34.1 pct.) and eighth in 3-pointers made per game (2.0). In addition, she is third in free throw percentage (84.3 pct.). Jahn ranks second in career 3-pointers made (242) and career 3-pointers attempted (684), and seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (35.3 pct.).
Ciara Rosten has missing four contests this season due to injuries, but is once again a dominant player in the paint. She comes in averaging 13.6 ppg. and a team-leading 8.2 rpg., good for fifth in the PSAC. She stands ninth in career rebounds (724) and second in career-blocked shots (217). The reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Year and Defensive Athlete of the Year ranks second in the PSAC in blocks per game (2.6) and in total blocks (49).
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 8.0 ppg. and has made 38-of-94 3-pointers.

The Fab Four

The foursome of Michaela Barnes, Michelle Jahn, Ciara Rosten, and Jontay Walton have all scored 1,000 career points at Edinboro. It's the first time an Edinboro team has had four 1,000-point scorers at the same time. All told, they have combined for almost 5,000 points. Here's where they rank in Edinboro's career statistics:

Michaela Barnes

Scoring -- 28th (1,144 points)
Free Throws Made -- 11th (271)

Michelle Jahn

Scoring -- 14th (1,325 points)
3-Point Field Goals Made -- 2nd (242)
3-Point Field Goals Attempted -- 2nd (684)
Games Played -- 13th (113)

Ciara Rosten

Scoring -- 29th (1,106)
Rebounds -- 9th (724)
Blocked Shots -- 2nd (217)

Jontay Walton

Scoring -- 19th (1,241)
Free Throws Made -- 7th (324)
Free Throws Attempted -- 10th (404)
3-Point Field Goals Made -- 12th (115)
3-Point Field Goals Attempted -- 13th (316)
Assists -- 16th (277)

Scouting The Rock

Slippery Rock is coming off its third loss in its last four contests, falling at Clarion, 92-78, on Saturday afternoon. The Rock stands at 10-14 overall and 8-10 in the Western Division. SRU is currently tied for fifth in the PSAC West with Pitt-Johnstown.
Bobby McGraw is in his fifth season as the head coach at Slippery Rock, and has orchestrated a turnaround of the program. A year ago, SRU earned its second PSAC Tournament berth in the last four years. The Rock's 12 wins represented the third-most victories in the last 14 seasons, while the 10 league wins were a program record. SRU won just 19 games in the four seasons prior to McGraw's arrival, but since taking over at SRU, he has led the team to 45 victories entering 2018-19.
SRU is led by Brooke Hinderliter, a junior guard who surpassed the 1,000-point mark in the last meeting against Edinboro on January 26. She has since boosted her career total to 1,125 points, which ranks 13th all-time at Slippery Rock. Hinderliter is averaging 18.1 ppg., good for seventh in the PSAC, and is grabbing 5.3 rpg. In addition, she ranks second on the team in steals (28). A year ago, she was a second-team All-PSAC West selection after averaging 14.1 ppg. and 6.5 rpg.
Ciara Patterson is the only other SRU player scoring in double figures. A 5'7" redshirt senior, she is averaging 12.7 ppg. and is one of the top 3-point threats in the PSAC with 59 three's in 177 attempts. She ranks fourth in the PSAC in 3-pointers made per game (2.5). Patterson previously played at Wright State.
Morgan Henderson provides an inside presence for The Rock. The 6'2" senior averages 7.6 ppg., and a team-high 8.5 rpg. The latter figure stands third in the PSAC.

Next for the Fighting Scots

Edinboro returns home for its final two regular season contests at McComb Fieldhouse, beginning with their annual Hoops for Harlie contest on Saturday, February 23 vs. Clarion 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

#3 Monica Brown: G; 5' 7"; Freshman

#10 Lilly Young: G/F; 5' 10"; Freshman

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

#3 Monica Brown
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: G

#10 Lilly Young
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: G/F

Edinboro University Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

Edinboro Looks to Complete Season Sweep at Slippery Rock

Players Mentioned

#2 Michaela Barnes

#20 Michelle Jahn

#15 Ciara Rosten

#1 Bridgette Shaffer

#5 Jontay Walton

#3 Monica Brown

#10 Lilly Young

Players Mentioned

#2 Michaela Barnes

#20 Michelle Jahn

#15 Ciara Rosten

#1 Bridgette Shaffer

#5 Jontay Walton

#3 Monica Brown

#10 Lilly Young