By Bob Franceski, NEPASportsNation.com
A recap of the week of February 27 – March 5 for District 2 graduates in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II basketball:
CIAIRA LOYD, ALLYCIA HARRIS
CALIFORNIA (PA.) UNIVERSITY WOMEN
Loyd is a 5-foot-7 senior guard from Scranton
Harris is a 5-foot-9 sophomore guard/forward from Wilkes-Barre Area and Meyers
Team result
Week 3-0; Season – 21-10 overall
Wednesday – vs. Edinboro University (PSAC quarterfinals), Won 70-62
Saturday – vs. West Chester University (PSAC semifinals), Won 62-59
Sunday – vs. Gannon University (PSAC championship), Won 75-53
Loyd’s Individual statistics
vs. Edinboro University- Started, played 39 minutes; 5/12 FG, 2/2 on 3-pointers, 0/4 FT, 12 points; 3 defensive rebounds; 8 assists; 4 turnovers; 1 steal.
vs. West Chester University – Started, played 40 minutes; 6/18 FG, 1/4 on 3-pointers, 1/1 FT, 14 points; 2 defensive rebounds; 3 assists; 4 turnovers; 2 steals.
vs. Gannon University – Started, played 38 minutes; 5/14 FG, 0/1 on 3-pointers, 6/6 FT, 16 points; 1 offensive, 2 defensive, 3 total rebounds; 7 assists; 8 turnovers; 1 steal.
Harris’ individual statistics
vs. Edinboro University- Started, played 30 minutes; 4/10 FG, 3/4 FT, 11 points; 6 offensive, 10 defensive, 16 total rebounds; 2 blocks.
vs. West Chester University – Started, played 27 minutes; 4/8 FG, 2/2 FT, 10 points; 2 offensive, 5 defensive, 7 total rebounds; 1 turnover; 2 blocks.
vs. Gannon University– Started, played 38 minutes; 6/13 FG, 7/11 FT, 19 points; 9 offensive, 11 defensive, 20 total rebounds; 2 assists; 2 turnovers; 1 steal.
Notes
Loyd was named to the All-PSAC West First Team and Harris was voted the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year. … In the victory over Edinboro University, Harris and teammate, Rajah Fink each recorded a double-double. Harris recorded a career-high 16 rebounds despite battling foul trouble. … Loyd leads the PSAC this year with 200 assists and she is the first player in school history to reach the milestone since Megan Storck in the 2003-04 season. … In the semifinal victory over West Chester, all five starters scored in double-digits. With the win, it is the eighth consecutive season with at least 20 victories for the Vulcans. … California raced out to a 19-point lead in the first half of the PSAC championship game at Gannon University. California earned the seventh PSAC championship in program history and its first since winning back-to-back league titles in 2015 and 2016. The Vulcans defeated the top seed from both divisions in West Chester and Gannon. … Harris was chosen the PSAC Tournament MVP after finishing with 19 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in the final. … California (PA) University earned the No. 6 seed in the Atlantic Region of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Atlantic Region will be played at Glenville State in Glenville, W.Va., March 10-13.
The week ahead
California, the No. 6 seed, will play West Chester, the No. 3 seed Friday at noon.
SAM YENCHA
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY WOMEN
5-foot-11 sophomore guard/forward from Holy Redeemer
Team results
Week – 1-1; Season – 26-4 overall
Tuesday – vs. Caldwell (CACC quarterfinal), Won 68-43.
Saturday – vs. Dominican (CACC semifinal), Lost 72-71 in overtime.
Individual statistics
vs. Caldwell – Started, played 36 minutes; 9/14 FG, 2/2 FT, 20 points; 3 offensive, 8 defensive, 11 total rebounds; 2 assists; 2 turnovers; 2 steals.
vs. Dominican – Started, played 45 minutes; 3/10 FG, 0/1 on 3-pointers, 6 points; 3 offensive, 5 defensive, 8 total rebounds; 2 assists; 2 turnovers; 5 steals.
Notes
Yencha is one of four Rams to earn All-CACC honors, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference announced on Tuesday. Yencha earned her first All-CACC nod, earning third team honors. Her 13 double-doubles are second in the conference and 18th in Division II. Yencha is second in the CACC and 15th in the nation in rebounding. … Yencha’s 20 points in the quarterfinal win over Caldwell is a career high. She also recorded her 14 double-double of the season. … Jefferson advanced to the CACC semifinals for the fifth straight season. … Dominican’s Angelina DiMarsico drilled a step-back 3-pointer with four seconds remaining in overtime to give the Chargers the upset win. … The loss to Dominican was Jefferson’s first loss at home this season, ending a 15-game win streak on its home floor. It is the first season without Jefferson in the CACC final since 2017. …Jefferson will make its fifth straight trip to the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Rams are the No. 3 seed in the East Regional to be played at Assumption University in Worcester, Mass., March 10-13.
The week ahead
Jefferson, the No. 3 seed, plays Daemen, the No. 6 seed Friday at noon. Jefferson and Daemen met in last year’s region semifinals.
CLAIRE DOUGHERTY
HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-1 freshman forward/center from Lake Lehman
Team results
Week – 1-1; Season – 20-10 overall
Tuesday – vs. Felician University (CACC quarterfinals), Won 71-62
Saturday – vs. Post University (CACC semifinals), Lost 60-57
Individual statistics
vs. Felician University – Did not play.
vs. Post University – Did not play.
Notes
In the quarterfinal victory over Felician, Holy Family set a season-best by going 28-for-36 from the free throw line for its most makes since it had 30 in Dec. 2015. … With Holy Family ahead by one point in the final seconds, a Post offensive rebound and ensuing three-point play with 3.9 seconds remaining led to the Eagles holding on to defeat the Tigers in the CACC Tournament semifinal. … Holy Family did not receive a bid to the postseason.
The week ahead
Season complete.
ERIN GIBBONS
SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY WOMEN
5-foot-8 graduate student guard from Wyoming Valley West
Team results
Week – 1-1; Season – 24-6 overall
Wednesday – vs. Kutztown University (PSAC quarterfinals), Won 72-55
Saturday – vs. Gannon University (PSAC semifinals), Lost 82-73
Individual statistics
vs. Kutztown University– Started, played 37 minutes; 3/8 FG, 2/7 on 3-pointers, 8 points; 1 offensive, 2 defensive, 3 total rebounds; 3 assists; 1 turnover.
vs. Gannon University – Started, played 37 minutes; 2/5 FG, 2/5 on 3-pointers, 6 points; 3 defensive rebounds; 4 assists.
Notes
Shippensburg used a strong third quarter, outscoring Kutztown, 28-16, to extend its three-point halftime lead. … The Raiders shot 73.3 percent (11-for-15) from the field and 4-for-5 from the free throw line in the third quarter to secure a 15-point lead entering the final quarter. … With the win, Shippensburg will finish the year with a 14-1 record at home, matching its home record from the 2019-20 season. … In the semifinal loss to Gannon, Shippensburg Senior Ariel Jones scored 26 points, eclipsing the PSAC single season points record of 744 that was previously held by California University (PA)’s Brooque Williams. Her 26 points marks her 18th time scoring 20 or more points this season. … Shippensburg received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament and is the No. 4 seed in the Atlantic Region. The Raiders are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2016-17 season and the 10th in school history. The Atlantic Region will be held at Glenville State in Glenville, W.Va., March 10-13.
The week ahead
Shippensburg, the No. 4 seed, will play West Virginia State, the No. 5 seed, Friday at 7:30 p.m.
JEFF PLANUTIS
MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY MEN
6-foot-6 redshirt junior guard from Hazleton Area
Team result
Week – 2-1; Season – 24-5 overall
Wednesday – vs. University of Pitt-Johnstown (PSAC quarterfinals), Won 86-57
Saturday – vs. Shippensburg University (PSAC semifinals), Won 71-62
Sunday – vs. Indiana University (PA) (PSAC championship), Lost 54-53
Individual statistics
vs. University of Pitt-Johnstown– Started, played 20 minutes; 4/7 FG, 0/2 on 3-pointers, 8 points; 3 defensive rebounds; 1 assist; 2 steals.
vs. Shippensburg – Started, played 36 minutes; 5/6 FG, 2/3 on 3-pointers, 4/6 FT, 16 points; 1 defensive rebound; 3 turnovers; 2 steals.
vs. Indiana University (PA) – Started, played 40 minutes; 4/15 FG, 1/3 on 3-pointers; 2/2 FT, 11 points; 2 offensive, 3 defensive, 5 total rebounds; 4 assists; 1 turnover; 1 block; 2 steals.
Notes
Mercyhurst jumped out to a 43-28 halftime lead against University of Pitt-Johnstown and cruised to the quarterfinal victory. … Mercyhurst used a strong second half, outscoring Shippensburg 42-32, to overcome a one-point halftime deficit. The Lakers started the second half on a 10-5 scoring run, sparked by six points from Planutis. A key basket from Planutis with 5:25 remaining gave Mercyhurst a one-point lead and the Lakers were able to hold on down the stretch. … Mercyhurst battled IUP for a full 40 minutes but was unable to get a shot at the buzzer to fall, dropping a hard-fought PSAC championship game. … Trailing by seven points at halftime, the Lakers came out strong in the second half on offense and were able to tie the score with just under seven minutes off the clock. Planutis made a jumper with 2:16 remaining to bring Mercyhurst within one, but that was the last basket either team made. … Mercyhurst received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament and is the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Region. The Atlantic Region will be held at Indiana University (PA) March 11-14
The week ahead
Mercyhurst, the No. 3 seed, plays East Stroudsburg University, the No. 6 seed, Saturday at noon.
JACK FARRELL
EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY MEN
6-foot-6 junior forward from Dallas
Team results
Week – 2-1; Season – 23-8 overall
Monday – vs. Shepherd University (PSAC first round), Won 81-75
Wednesday – at West Chester University (PSAC quarterfinal), Won 85-72
Saturday – vs. Indiana University (PA) (PSAC semifinals), Lost 67-64
Individual statistics
vs. Shepherd University – Did not play.
at West Chester University – Did not play.
vs. Indiana University (PA) – Did not play.
Notes
Trailing 73-70 with 3:49 remaining, ESU closed the game on an 11-2 scoring run to advance to the PSAC quarterfinals. … The quarterfinal win against West Chester was the first time in three meetings this season the Warriors defeated the Rams. … In a back-and-forth game that saw 12 lead changes and 7 tied scores, East Stroudsburg stayed within six points of IUP the entire 40 minutes, ultimately falling to the Crimson Hawks. …East Stroudsburg University received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament and is the No. 6 seed in the Atlantic Region. The Atlantic Region will be held at Indiana University (PA) March 11-14
The week ahead
East Stroudsburg University, the No. 6 seed, plays Mercyhurst, the No. 3 seed, Saturday at noon.
JUSTICE SHOATS, GABE SPRINGER
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY MEN
Shoats is a 5-foot-11 freshman guard from Holy Redeemer
Springer is a 6-foot-8 sophomore forward from Wallenpaupack
Team results
Week – 1-1; Season – 17-12
Monday – at Millersville University (PSAC first round), Won 66-57
Wednesday – at Shippensburg University (PSAC quarterfinal), Lost 75-54
Shoats individual statistics
at Millersville University – Came off the bench, played 24 minutes; 4/8 FG, 8 points; 2 offensive rebounds; 5 turnovers.
at Shippensburg University – Came off the bench, played 25 minutes; 3/7 FG, 0/1 on 3-pointers, 2/2 FT, 8 points; 2 turnovers.
Springer individual statistics
at Millersville University – Came off the bench, played 8 minutes; 0/1 FG, 0 points; 1 steal.
at Shippensburg University – Came off the bench, played 8 minutes; 1/3 FG, 2 points; 1 offensive, 1 defensive, 2 total rebounds; 1 assist.
Notes
The win over Millersville in the PSAC first round it the program’s first playoff win in 33 years. …Tied, 7-7, in the early going, the Bald Eagles went on a 13-2 run over the next four minutes. Shoats contributed four points in the run as Lock Haven led 33-18 at halftime. …With two minutes remaining, Millersville closed the gap to two points, but the Bald Eagles responded with crucial late buckets and stingy defense to claim the victory. … The loss to Shippensburg, the No. 1 seed in the East capped a record-setting season for Lock Haven. The 17 wins mark’s the program’s most since the 2013-14 season. … Shoats finishes the season averaging 9.8 points per game and 20.6 minutes per game. … Springer finishes the season averaging 2.1 points per game and 9.9 minutes per game. … Lock Haven did not receive a bid to the postseason.
The week ahead
Season complete.
JASON SHIELDS
JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY MEN
6-foot-5 freshman guard from Scranton
Team results
Week – 2-1; Season 18-12
Tuesday – vs. Post (CACC quarterfinals), Won 86-73
Saturday – vs. Bloomfield (CACC semifinals), Won 80-79 in overtime.
Sunday – vs. Caldwell (CACC championship), Lost 72-69
Individual statistics
vs. Post – Came off the bench, played 11 minutes; 2/3 FG, 0/1 on 3-pointers, 1/1 FT, 5 points; 1 turnover.
vs. Bloomfield – Came off the bench, played 8 minutes; 1/1 FG, 1/1 on 3-pointers, 3/4 FT, 6 points; 1 turnover.
vs. Caldwell – Came off the bench, played 3 minutes; 0/1 FG, 0 points; 1 turnover.
Notes
In the quarterfinal win over Post, Jefferson shot over 50 percent from the field for the fourth consecutive game. … The Rams advance to the CACC semifinals for the 11th straight season. … Despite three starters fouling out, Jefferson scored the first six points in overtime and survived a potential game-winning shot from Bloomfield that went in-and-out at the buzzer. The Rams advance to the CACC final for the ninth time in program history and first since 2020. … Jefferson did not receive a bid to the postseason.
The week ahead
Season complete.
