A quick preview of this weekend’s final cross-over games:
Friday, January 6
West Chester (8-2, 4-2 PSAC East) at Indiana (Pa.) (10-0, 6-0 PSAC West): One of three huge matchups on Friday night. The Golden Rams’ two losses were to Gannon (by two points on a buzzer-beating three) and at Edinboro (by four points following a road trip from hell which saw their bus break down the night before). The Crimson Hawks have been dominating, but this may be IUP’s toughest test of the season. Coaches outside the region put West Chester at the top of the heap in the East. A win by the Golden Rams at IUP’s new arena validates those arguments.
Millersville (7-3, 4-2 PSAC East) at California (Pa.) (7-3, 4-2 PSAC West): One axiom comes to mind in PSAC women’s basketball: never count these two teams out as the season progresses. Despite less than stellar shooting from the field, the Marauders defense remains stingy and a force to be reckoned with. The Vulcans, after starting off the season 3-3, replaced head coaches and sport a four-game win streak under Jess Strom. If Cal U can find success from beyond the three-point line, Millersville will be in for a long weekend.
Bloomsburg (10-2, 4-2 PSAC East) at Gannon (9-1, 6-0 PSAC West): The Huskies were blown out by the PSAC West’s undefeated teams – Edinboro and IUP. The Golden Knights have bounced back from last season’s disaster, when they missed the PSAC tournament. A buzzer-beater win at West Chester gives Gannon a large boost against a Bloom team picked to win the East. If the Bloomsburg team that showed up against Edinboro and IUP makes an appearance at the Hammermill Center, then the Huskies are in deep trouble.
Mansfield (4-6, 1-5 PSAC East) at Clarion (3-7, 2-4 PSAC West): The core of last season’s Golden Eagles squad is back, but they consist mostly of sophomores. The Mounties haven’t exactly been world beaters either, with their lone win coming against Slippery Rock. Clarion is in dire need of a momentum boost, and Mansfield might just be the cure.
Kutztown (4-8, 2-4 PSAC East) at Edinboro (10-0, 6-0 PSAC West): The Fighting Scots have earned their spot as a top 10 team, with wins over Hillsdale and Ohio Dominican during last weekend’s tourney at Northern Kentucky. The Golden Bears have improved since the start of the season, though it might not be enough to overcome a vastly more experienced Edinboro team.
East Stroudsburg (4-6, 1-5 PSAC East) at Lock Haven (4-5, 3-3 PSAC West): The Bald Eagles give Millersville a scare before losing by one point earlier this season, sending a message to the West that they could be in the hunt for the fourth and final playoff berth. It’s hard to see the Warriors competing for a playoff spot, but last week’s 55-53 win at Philadelphia University, a perennial CACC power, is a solid building point for a program that needs one.
Shippensburg (5-5, 2-4 PSAC East) at Mercyhurst (5-5, 3-3 PSAC West): This Red Raiders team is hard to figure out. Three of their four losses in PSAC play have been by five points or fewer, though they claim a win over Cal earlier in the season. The Lakers seem to have adjusted following some early season bumps, including a tough-to-swallow loss at West Chester where the team seemed to lack urgency in the final minute of play. Ship could steal the fourth – or even third – seed this season, making this game critical.
Cheyney (0-10, 0-6 PSAC East) at Slippery Rock (3-7, 0-6 PSAC West): The Rock seeks poised to win their first PSAC game of the season against a Wolves squad that is young, competitive, but short-handed.
Games scheduled for Saturday, January 7 (previews of these games to be posted after Friday’s games)
- Bloomsburg at Clarion
- Mansfield at Gannon
- Millersville at Indiana (Pa.)
- West Chester at California (Pa.)
- East Stroudsburg at Edinboro
- Kutztown at Lock Haven
- Shippensburg at Slippery Rock
- Cheyney at Mercyhurst
Creighton Rabs cover the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference for Examiner.com. He is neither affiliated with nor employed by the PSAC or its member institutions. Follow him on Twitter (@PSACnWCUReportr) for live coverage of Friday’s women’s/men’s doubleheader between West Chester and IUP and Saturday’s doubleheader between West Chester and CalU.
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