By Bob Franceski, NEPASportsNation.com
A recap of the week of January 23 – January 29 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 – 13-7 overall, 9-5 PSAC
Monday – at Seton Hill University (PA), Won 87-80
Wednesday – vs. Mansfield University, Won 91-53
Saturday – vs. Pitt-Johnstown, Won 67-58
Loyd’s Individual statistics
at Seton Hill University (PA) – Started, played 40 minutes; 5/10 FG, 0/2 on 3-pointers, 1/3 FT, 11 points; 1 offensive, 2 defensive, 3 total rebounds; 18 assists; 3 turnovers; 1 steal.
vs. Mansfield University – Started, played 32 minutes; 5/8 FG, 2/3 on 3-pointers, 3/4 FT, 15 points; 1 defensive rebound; 10 assists; 7 turnovers; 3 steals.
vs. Pitt-Johnstown – Started, played 40 minutes; 4/14 FG, 1/4 on 3-pointers, 3/4 FT, 12 points; 3 defensive rebounds; 9 assists; 9 turnovers; 1 steal.
Harris’ individual statistics
at Seton Hill University (PA) – Started, played 29 minutes; 8/12 FG, 3/5 FT, 19 points; 4 offensive, 3 defensive, 7 total rebounds; 1 turnover; 1 block; 2 steals.
vs. Mansfield University – Started, played 27 minutes; 7/8 FG, 14 points; 3 offensive, 5 defensive, 8 total rebounds; 2 assists; 3 turnovers; 1 block; 3 steals.
vs. Pitt-Johnstown – Started, played 37 minutes; 7/14 FG, 1/3 FT, 15 points; 3 offensive, 6 defensive, 9 total rebounds; 1 assist; 2 blocks.
Notes
In the win at Seton Hill (PA), Loyd’s 18 assists were the second-highest single-game assist total in league history. She is the first California (Pa.) player to be credited with at least 15 assists in a game since the 2004-05 season. Additionally, the 18 assists by Loyd rank as the most by any player in the NCAA this year regardless of division. … Harris’ 19 points against Seton Hill (PA) are a season-high. … Loyd posted her second consecutive points/assists double-double against Mansfield. … California (Pa.) placed four players in double figures in the win over Pitt-Johnstown. … Harris’ nine rebounds tied for team high.
The week ahead
California (PA) travels to Clarion University Wednesday and Edinboro University Saturday.
SAM YENCHA
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY WOMEN
5-foot-11 sophomore guard/forward from Holy Redeemer
Team results
Week – 1-1; Season – 18-3 overall, 10-1 CACC
Wednesday – at Chestnut Hill, Lost 57-44
Saturday – at Dominican (NY), Won 73-58
at Chestnut Hill – Started, played 37 minutes; 2/13 FG, 0/1 on 3-pointers, 0/2 FT, 4 points; 6 offensive, 5 defensive, 11 total rebounds; 1 assist; 2 turnovers.
at Dominican (NY) – Started, played 37 minutes; 5/10 FG, 4/6 FT, 14 points; 4 offensive, 5 defensive, 9 total rebounds; 1 assist; 4 turnovers; 1 steal.
Notes
Jefferson had its lowest offensive output of the season and suffered its first conference loss at Chestnut Hill. … Against Chestnut Hill, Jefferson struggled through its lowest field goal percentage of the season (26.5 percent). … Jefferson used a 17-4 first quarter scoring run to lead, 23-10, after one quarter of play at Dominican (NY). … The Rams converted 50 percent of their shots for the fifth time this season.
The week ahead
Jefferson hosts Caldwell Thursday and travels to Post Saturday.
KATIE STARR, CHASE PURDY
BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY WOMEN
Starr is a 5-foot-11 sophomore forward from Berwick
Purdy is a 5-foot-10 freshman forward from Lake-Lehman
Week – 2-1; Season – 7-11 overall, 5-9 PSAC
Monday – vs. Mansfield University, Won 68-53
Wednesday – at Kutztown University, Won 66-52
Saturday – at West Chester University, Lost 66-56
Starr’s statistics
at Kutztown University – Started, played 31 minutes; 7/11 FG, 4/5 FT, 18 points; 3 offensive, 3 defensive, 6 total rebounds; 4 turnovers; 1 block.
at West Chester University – Started, played 38 minutes; 4/7 FG, 3/5 FT, 11 points; 4 offensive, 3 defensive, 7 total rebounds; 3 assists; 6 turnovers; 3 steals.
Notes
Bloomsburg used a 20-8 third quarter advantage to pull away from Mansfield. Bloomsburg’s big third quarter saw seven different players score a basket. … Starr’s 7 rebounds against West Chester led the Huskies. … Purdy has not played because of injury.
The week ahead
Bloomsburg hosts Lock Haven University Wednesday and travels to Millersville University Saturday.
ERIN GIBBONS
SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY WOMEN
5-foot-8 graduate student guard from Wyoming Valley West
Team results
Week – 3-0; Season – 17-3 overall, 12-2 PSAC
Monday – at Millersville University, Won 90-74
Wednesday – vs. Shepherd, Won 92-52
Saturday – at Lock Haven University, Won 73-59
Individual statistics
at Millersville University – Started, played 34 minutes; 3/7 FG, 3/6 on 3-pointers, 9 points; 2 offensive rebounds; 6 assists; 3 turnovers.
vs. Shepherd – Started, played 29 minutes; 4/8 FG, 4/7 on 3-pointers, 1/2 FT, 13 points; 4 assists; 1 turnover; 1 steal.
at Lock Haven University – Started, played 33 minutes; 2/3 FG, 2/2 on 3-pointers, 6 points; 2 assists; 2 turnovers; 3 steals.
Notes
Shippensburg University Senior Ariel Jones set an all-time PSAC single game scoring record by scoring a career-high 51 points against Millersville. Jones also connected on all 14 of her free-throw attempts. … Gibbons was one of four Raiders to score in double figures against Shepherd and connected on all four of her 3-point attempts in the first half.
The week ahead
Shippensburg University travels to East Stroudsburg University Saturday.
COLETTE MULDERIG
FRANKLIN PIERCE UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-4 junior forward/center from Scranton
Team results
Week – 0-2; Season – 6-14 overall, 2-11 NE10.
Thursday – vs. Assumption, Lost 57-24
Saturday – vs. New Haven, Lost 65-54
Individual statistics
vs. Assumption – Started, played 17 minutes; 2/6 FG, 1/2 FT, 5 points; 1 offensive rebound; 1 steal; 3 turnovers.
vs. New Haven – Came off the bench, played 19 minutes; 4/10 FG, 8 points; 1 offensive, 4 defensive, 5 total rebounds; 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover.
Notes
Franklin Pierce suffered its fourth straight loss against Assumption as the Ravens were outscored, 31-6, in the second half. … Mulderig helped spark a 6-2 third quarter run as Franklin Pierce began to battle back from a six-point halftime deficit against New Haven. New Haven took advantage of late third-quarter scoring and maintained the lead for the remainder of the contest.
The week ahead
Franklin Pierce travels to Saint Michael’s Wednesday and LeMoyne Saturday.
CLAIRE DOUGHERTY
HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-1 freshman forward/center from Lake Lehman
Team results
Week – 1-1; Season – 15-7 overall, 10-2 CACC
Wednesday – vs. Georgian Court University, Lost 68-53
Saturday – at Bloomfield College, Won 72-64, in overtime
vs. Georgian Court University– Did not play
at Bloomfield College– Did not play.
Notes
Despite scoring 26 fourth-quarter points against Georgian Court, Holy Family could not overcome a slow start in which the Tigers scored only 8 points in the first quarter. … Holy Family ended regulation on an 8-2 run over the final four minutes and dominated the overtime period, outscoring Bloomfield, 10-2. Holy Family’s defense held Bloomfield College to 1-for-9 shooting in the extra session. … Holy Family’s 61 rebounds against Bloomfield were its most since it had 64 at Felician in 2015.
The week ahead
Holy Family hosts Goldey-Beacom College Wednesday and travels to Alliance University Saturday.
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 – 2-1; Season – 13-6 overall, 9-5 PSAC
Monday – at Slippery Rock University, Won 80-75 in double overtime.
Thursday – at East Stroudsburg University, Won 83-73
Saturday – vs. Shippensburg University, Lost 72-61
Shoats individual statistics
at Slippery Rock University– Came off the bench, played 20 minutes; 5/12 FG, 0/1 on 3-pointers, 10 points; 1 offensive, 2 defensive, 3 total rebounds; 1 assist; 5 turnovers.
at East Stroudsburg University – Came off the bench, played 18 minutes; 2/4 FG, 3/4 FT, 7 points; 2 defensive rebounds; 3 assists; 1 turnover.
vs. Shippensburg University – Came off the bench, played 18 minutes; 5/7 FG, 1/2 FT, 11 points; 1 turnover; 1 steal.
Springer individual statistics
at Slippery Rock University – Came off the bench, played 9 minutes; 1/2 FG, 2/2 FT, 4 points; 1 offensive, 1 defensive, 2 total rebounds.
at East Stroudsburg University – Came off the bench, played 10 minutes; 0/1 FG, 0 points; 1 offensive, 3 defensive, 4 total rebounds; 1 assist; 1 turnover; 1 block.
vs. Shippensburg University – Came off the bench, played 4 minutes; 0/1 FG, 0 points; 1 defensive rebound; 1 block.
Notes
Lock Haven led Slippery Rock, 37-23, at the half. The 23 points allowed are the fewest first-half points allowed by the Bald Eagles this season. … Early in the second half, Slippery Rock cut the lead to nine points, but Shoats made three field goals over the next four minutes to give Lock Haven a 51-38 lead. … Lock Haven’s win over No. 25 East Stroudsburg was the first ranked win for the program since the 2019-20 season when it knocked off No. 12 West Chester. It also marks the first win over the Warriors since 2017-18. … Shoats was one of three Lock Haven players to score 11 points against Shippensburg.
The week ahead
Lock Haven travels to Bloomsburg University Monday and hosts Shepherd Saturday.
JEFF PLANUTIS
MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY MEN
6-foot-6 redshirt junior guard from Hazleton Area
Team result
Week – 2-1; Season – 15-3 overall, 11-3 PSAC
Monday – at Pitt-Johnstown, Lost 73-61
Wednesday – at Clarion University, Won 96-73
Saturday – vs. Seton Hill University (PA), Won 82-71
Individual statistics
at Pitt-Johnstown – Started, played 33 minutes; 5/10 FG, 2/4 on 3-pointers, 12 points; 4 defensive rebounds; 1 assist; 2 blocks; 1 steal.
at Clarion University – Started, played 16 minutes; 3/7 FG, 1/4 on 3-pointers, 7 points; 1 defensive rebound; 2 assists; 1 turnover; 1 block.
vs. Seton Hill University (PA) – Started, played 34 minutes; 6/12 FG, 5/8 on 3-pointers; 2/2 FT, 19 points; 1 offensive, 4 defensive, 5 total rebounds; 1 assist; 1 turnover; 2 blocks; 1 steal.
Notes
Mercyhurst’s two wins this week put the Lakers in a tie for second place in the PSAC West, alongside Pitt-Johnstown. IUP continues to lead the conference at 20-0 overall and 14-0 in the PSAC. Mercyhurst and IUP meet on February 6th with major PSAC implications. … Planutis continues to lead the Lakers in scoring at 15.0 points per game, and free-throw percentage (93.3 percent).
The week ahead
Mercyhurst travels to Edinboro University (PA) Wednesday.
JACK FARRELL
EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY MEN
6-foot-6 junior forward from Dallas
Team results
Week – 1-2; Season – 15-5 overall, 9-5 PSAC
Monday – at Kutztown University, Won 82-78
Thursday – vs. Lock Haven University, Lost 83-73
Saturday – at Indiana University (PA), Lost 67-53
Individual statistics
at Kutztown University – Did not play
vs. Lock Haven University – Did not play
at Indiana University (PA) – Did not play
Notes
East Stroudsburg overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Kutztown Monday. The win matched the largest deficit overcome in Coach Jeff Wilson’s tenure since 2002-03. … ESU kept it close against No. 1 IUP through the midway point of the second half but IUP pulled away for the win. … The loss drops the Warriors into a tie for second place with Lock Haven, Millersville, and West Chester.
The week ahead
East Stroudsburg travels to Mansfield University Wednesday and hosts Shippensburg University Saturday.
JASON SHIELDS
JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY MEN
6-foot-5 freshman guard from Scranton
Team results
Week – 2-0; Season 12-9; 8-3 CACC
Wednesday – at Chestnut Hill, Won 80-70
Saturday – at Dominican (NY), Won 76-71
Individual statistics
at Chestnut Hill – Did not play
at Dominican (NY) – Did not play
Notes
In the win at Chestnut Hill, Jefferson shot better than 50 percent for the eighth time and made more than half of its 3-point attempts for the fifth time. … The Rams defeated Chestnut Hill for the ninth time in the last 10 meetings. … Jefferson jumped out to a 15-1 advantage in the first half against Dominican (N.Y.).
The week ahead
Jefferson travels to Post Saturday.
