GLENVILLE, W.Va. - Glenville State Women's Basketball will open the 2023-24 season tomorrow (Nov. 10) at the Atlantic Region Tip Off Challenge in Erie, Pa. The Pioneers will face off with Gannon on Friday and take on Clarion on Saturday.
GAME INFORMATION
Friday, November 10 | 5:30 p.m. | Highmark Events Center
Glenville State vs Gannon
Watch on PSAC Digital Network | Live Stats
Saturday, November 11 | 3 p.m. | Highmark Events Center
Glenville State vs Clarion
Watch on PSAC Digital Network | Live Stats
THE OPPONENTS
GANNON
The Golden Knights enter (3-0) following three-straight victories at the CCA Tip-Off Tournament, defeating Texas A&M Kingsville, no. 19 Angelo State and no. 5 Tampa. Last year, GU went (29-5) with a PSAC Championship and NCAA Tournament berth.
Cleve Wright is in his 16th overall season as Gannon's WBB coach. Wright has spent time at both the DI and DII level, coaching at Miami (Ohio) and Eastern Illinois at the DI ranks. He is in his second stint with the Golden Knights, leaving the school the first time as the school's all-time winningest coach. In total, Wright has won four PSAC Championships and appeared in the NCAA Tournament seven times.
Samantha Pirosko is the only double-digit scorer for GU, averaging 19.7 PPG through the first three games. Maddy Wheatley (9.3 PPG) and three other Golden Knights average 7.7 PPG to aid the offense. Piroski is the team's leading rebounder as well, pulling down 7.7 per game. Wheatley's 3.3 APG is first on the team also.
CLARION
The Golden Eagles will open up their 2023-24 campaign tomorrow with Notre Dame College. CU went (5-22) last season with all five wins coming in PSAC play.
Danielle Fleming is in her first season as Head Coach of the Golden Eagles. She was previously the HC at Columbia International for three years, leading the Rams to an 18-win season in 2022-23 and amassing three-consecutive NCCAA National Tournament appearances. Before CIU, Fleming was the top assistant at Southern Arkansas.
Siara Conley (4.2 PPG in 22-23) is the highest leading scorer returning from last year's squad. Coach Fleming brought in a few transfers to help that with Hannah Wilkerson (15.8 PPG and 5.0 RPG at Columbia Int.), Tearra Cook (10.4 PPG and 8.9 RPG at Columbia Int.), DayLynn Thornton (9.9 PPG at Vincennes) and Sadre'a Rougeau (9.9 PPG at Goshen).
THE LADY PIONEERS
GLENVILLE STATE
The 23rd ranked Lady Pioneers are coming of a (33-3) season that saw them win the MEC Championship and make a Final Four run.
First year Head Coach Emily Stoller was an assistant coach under Kim Stephens last year before taking over the program. Prior to joining the GSU staff, Stoller spent a season with the Fairmont State WBB coaching staff. As a player, Stoller had a stellar career at Glenville State, tallying 1,494 points in three seasons. During her three years as a player, the Lady Pioneers went 87-10 and she received two All-MEC selections.
Glenville State returns four players who played 11 or more minutes per game in Hya Haywood (10.2 PPG), Dream Cherry (5.1 PPG), Kamiyah Lyons (3.8 PPG) and Chalon Miles (3.1 PPG). Stoller was active in the transfer portal, scooping up one of the best bigs in the MEC, Lauren Calhoun (18.3 PPG and 11.3 RPG at Wheeling), Jamesha Samuel (16.7 PPG at Georgia Southwestern) Zhordan Shannon (12 PPG and 5 RPG at Wabash Valley), Karrin Purchase (8.3 PPG at Harcum College), Dajaan Schuler (Stetson) and Ahsha Spencer (UIC / Trinity Valley CC).
Fans can follow Glenville State Women's Basketball on Twitter (X) @LadyPioneers_ and Instagram @ladypioneerswbb for news and score updates plus many more all season long.
