WCU Basketball Game Program: West Chester vs Millersville

2023-24 Women’s Basketball Schedule

2023-24 Men’s Basketball Schedule

November Sat. 11 ELIZABETH CITY STATE#........................W, 77-69 Sun. 12 LIVINGSTONE#...........................................W, 85-56 Sat. 18 WILMINGTON (Del)....................................W, 69-21 Mon. 20 CHESTNUT HILL.........................................W, 71-51 Sun. 26 @ Jefferson.......................................................L, 63-75 December Fri. 1 SLIPPERY ROCK.........................................W, 83-51 Sat. 2 EDINBORO....................................................W, 79-55 Tue. 5 LINCOLN.......................................................W, 74-56 Mon. 18 @ Mercyhurst...................................................L, 71-75 Tue. 19 @ Gannon.........................................................L, 71-86 Sat. 30 CLARION^....................................................W, 83-56 January Wed. 3 @ California (Pa.).............................................L, 51-54 Sat. 6 @ Lock Haven*.......................................L, 76-79 (OT) Wed. 10 SHEPHERD*.................................................W, 82-27 Sat. 13 EAST STROUDSBURG*+...........................W, 66-35 Wed. 17 @ Kutztown*...................................................W, 73-54 Wed. 24 @ Shippensburg*.............................................W, 82-55 Sat. 27 MANSFIELD*...............................................W, 87-57 Mon. 29 MILLERSVILLE*........................................5:30 p.m.

Wed. 31 @ Bloomsburg*.............................................. 5:30 p.m.

February Sat. 3 LOCK HAVEN*!..........................................1:00 p.m.

Wed. 7 @ Shepherd*................................................... 5:30 p.m.

Sat. 10 @ East Stroudsburg*...................................... 1:00 p.m.

Wed. 14 KUTZTOWN*...............................................5:30 p.m.

Wed. 21 SHIPPENSBURG*.......................................5:30 p.m.

Sat. 24 @ Mansfield*.................................................. 1:00 p.m.

Wed. 28 @ Millersville*............................................... 5:30 p.m.

March Sat. 2 BLOOMSBURG*&......................................1:00 p.m. * = PSAC East Game # = Carol Eckman Classic !=Pink Zone

November Fri. 10 St. Augustine’s University#.............................W, 68-61 Sat. 11 @ Virginia State#..............................................L, 62-82 Wed. 15 FAIRMONT STATE.......................................L, 68-74 Sun. 19 @ Wilmington (Del.)........................................L, 79-85 Wed. 22 @ Chestnut Hill...............................................W, 74-68 December Fri. 1 SLIPPERY ROCK.........................................W, 84-82 Sat. 2 EDINBORO....................................................W, 80-71 Sat. 9 GOLDEY-BEACOM.....................................W, 89-73 Mon. 18 @ Mercyhurst..................................................W, 68-63 Tue. 19 @ Gannon.......................................................L, 94-114 Sat. 30 CLARION^....................................................W, 90-70 January Wed. 3 @ California (Pa.)..........................................W, 100-97 Sat. 6 @ Lock Haven*................................................L, 71-74 Wed. 10 SHEPHERD*.................................................W, 82-72 Sat. 13 EAST STROUDSBURG*+............................L, 79-94 Wed. 17 @ Kutztown*...................................................W, 87-76 Wed. 24 @ Shippensburg*.............................................W, 88-73 Sat. 27 MANSFIELD*...............................................W, 83-73 Mon. 29 MILLERSVILLE*........................................7:30 p.m.

Wed. 31 @ Bloomsburg*.............................................. 7:30 p.m.

February Sat. 3 LOCK HAVEN*!..........................................3:00 p.m.

Wed. 7 @ Shepherd*................................................... 7:30 p.m.

Sat. 10 @ East Stroudsburg*...................................... 3:00 p.m.

Wed. 14 KUTZTOWN*...............................................7:30 p.m.

Wed. 21 SHIPPENSBURG*.......................................7:30 p.m.

Sat. 24 @ Mansfield*.................................................. 3:00 p.m.

Wed. 28 @ Millersville*............................................... 7:30 p.m.

March Sat. 2 BLOOMSBURG*&......................................3:00 p.m. * = PSAC East Game # = PSAC/CIAA Challenge !Pink

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University and Athletic Administration University President Dr. Christopher

Dr. Christopher M. Fiorentino enters his eighth and final year as president of West Chester University. With 40 years of higher education and administration experience at West Chester University, Fiorentino announced his retirement prior to the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year. He will step down as university president in June 2024.

Fiorentino, who holds three degrees in economics (baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate) from Temple University, joined WCU’s economics faculty in 1983. His role evolved from assistant professor to dean of the College of Business and Public Administration to vice president for External Operations to his current position of university president.

Dr. Fiorentino has been active in numerous leadership roles on campus, helping to secure AACSB International accreditation for the School of Business; developing off-campus academic centers, including the Graduate Center in West Goshen Township; and working with faculty and supporters to create the Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center. Dr. Fiorentino also spearheaded the development of the Center for Community Solutions, which links business and civic leaders with appropriate University faculty and staff. His responsibilities in his last position included University operations at the State System’s Center City Philadelphia site.

Dr. Fiorentino is married to WCU alumnae, Dr. Susan Fiorentino, ’86, a Professor in the Management Department at West Chester University where she is currently serving as Coordinator for the Master of Science in Human Resource Management program. The Fiorentinos have three children: Greg, a software engineer and WCU alum; Diana Marlin, a WCU grad and registered dietitian; and Jeff, a Penn State University graduate.

Director of Athletics Terry Beattie

Terry Beattie begins his eighth athletic campaign as the Director of Athletics at West Chester University.

Overall, Beattie enters into his 18th season with West Chester University’s Department of Athletics. Previous to being named the Interim AD in 2017, Beattie served as the Associate AD overseeing facilities and game day operations. He also oversaw all of the grounds and equipment room operations for the athletic department.

A 31-year veteran in college athletics, Beattie recently spearheaded the development of the Michael Horrocks Emerging Leaders Institute at WCU, which provides leadership training and development to a select group of outstanding student athletes who, as recognized future leaders, will be taking on the mantle of leadership within their team sometime in the future.

He has also served on a number of strategic planning committee’s both within the athletic department and in conjunction with the university.

In his seven years as the university’s athletics director, Beattie created a Sports Performance aspect to the athletic department implementing additional resources from which WCU student-athletes could benefit. His collaboration with a number of other areas on campus gives student-athletes access to mental health and sport psychology experts, an expanded and much improved strength and conditioning program as well as education on sport nutrition.

His work in the field of Sport Leadership Training gives West Chester University’s coaching staff and administrators access to some of the cutting edge research on how to become a better leader, coach and mentor to young adults.

A member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Beattie was recently named the chair of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Athletic Administrators for the 2023-24 campaign. He has also served roles on the NCAA regional and national advisory committees overseeing selections to the NCAA Division II Tournament in a variety of sports.

A native of Rochester, N.Y., Beattie has an extensive background in college athletics dating back to 1991.

Beattie, 54, is 1991 graduate of Alfred University in Alfred, N.Y., with a degree in Business Administration. He completed his master’s degree in Sport Administration at Canisius College in 1999. He received a tenured promotion to Assistant Professor at West Chester University in April 2009.

About West Chester University West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, regional, comprehensive institution committed to providing access and offering high-quality undergraduate education, select post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania.

West Chester University is committed to attracting, enrolling and graduating quality students from a wide variety of educational, cultural and economic backgrounds. This endeavor requires the University to attract and retain highly qualified faculty and staff and to provide each member of the University community with learning and leadership development opportunities. To this end, the University supports and encourages programs which benefit all people and which seek to eradicate discrimination and injustice.

We treasure what we believe to be the highest principles of American society: the worth and uniqueness of each individual, the belief that success is to be earned by individual effort put forth in an environment founded on equality of opportunity, and the appreciation of the ideal of an inclusive society.

We believe that it is incumbent upon all members of our community - staff, students, faculty and administrators - to conduct themselves with civility toward one another at all times. We value the special talents and contributions of each member of our community. We further affirm the worth and dignity of each member and the shared responsibility of all to treat each other as individuals, with respect and courtesy.

As a university owned by the citizens of Pennsylvania, we value our mission to provide the best educational opportunities possible which will enable the University community to successfully address the concerns of a global society. To this end, West Chester University seeks to provide diligent advising for students and to focus on teaching students to think clearly and critically, to make logical and ethical judgments, and to communicate effectively with others.

West Chester University’s community strongly supports the principles of academic integrity and academic responsibility, viewing both as the province of every member of the campus community. We hold the highest esteem for teaching directed toward student learning and affirm that mastery of content as well as mastery of teaching skills necessary to communicate such content are paramount.

As a university owned by the citizens of Pennsylvania, we value our mission to provide the best educational opportunities possible which will enable the University community to successfully address the concerns of a global society.

West Chester University will be a national model for excellence for public regional comprehensive universities and is especially noted for: l Undergraduate programs that actively engage students in connecting the life of the mind to the world in which they live and work. l The responsiveness of its graduate and post-baccalaureate programs to regional needs. l Its focus on providing lifelong-learning, technical, and applied skills essential to graduates’ success now and in the future. l A commitment by faculty, staff, and administrators to provide access and to serve effectively the educational needs of a diverse student body. l Its role as a leading educational and cultural resource and partner in fostering the economic, social, and cultural vitality of southeastern Pennsylvania.

WHERE GOLDEN RAMS WIN The Hilton Garden Inn Exton/West Chester and Springhill Suites by Marriott - Exton/West Chester invites West Chester University fans your friends and family to stay before and after every game.

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LOCATION

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720 Eagleview Boulevard East Exton, Pennsylvania, 19341 Phone: 610-458-8822 hiltongardenextonwestchester.com

ABOUT THE MATCHUP (WBB) WEST CHESTER (13-5, 8-4)

VS.

MILLERSVILLE

(7-11, 5-7)

ALL-TIME SERIES: Head Coach: WCU leads 50-47 Kira Mowen Streak: W6 Career Record: Career Record: First Meeting: 1969 L, 61-52 (148-102) (41-30) Last Meeting: 3/1/23 W, 76-61 Opening Tip...Since recording an 82-27 victory over Shepherd earlier this month that served as the team’s largest win over a PSAC East foe since 1994, the West Chester University women’s basketball team has found its stride once again, winning five in a row to improve its record to 13-5 overall and 8-4 in league play. This winning streak has also seen West Chester halt a troubling trend of road losses, winning each of its last two away from home with victories over Kutztown (first road win over the Golden Bears since 2018) and Shippensburg on each of the last two Wednesday evenings. Today, West Chester will look to extend its home winning streak, which dates back to January of the 2022-23 season when Millersville pays a visit to Hollinger Field House. Winners of each of the last six in the series, West Chester now holds a 50-47 lead over the Marauders, flipping a series that had been led by the Marauders for many years.

First meeting in 1969, West Chester dropped the first meeting but won the next five meetings as the two teams met on a yearly basis until the 1975-76 season. The Golden Rams have an edge in the series in Hollinger, holding a 28-18 advantage in games played on University Avenue. A year ago, West Chester won all three meetings against Millersville, sweeping the regular-season series before dispatching them in the PSAC Tournament quarterfinal.

Head Coach: Kiera Wooden

WCU Women’s Basketball Notes ... Leah Johnson continued to etch her name into the record books on Saturday afternoon as she recorded a triple-double (20 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds), making her the first player in team history to record two career triple-doubles, to help lead the Golden Rams to an 87-57 victory over Mansfield. West Chester never trailed on Saturday afternoon against the Mounties.

However, that does not mean the victory always looked easy for the Purple and Gold. West Chester struggled from the field in the first quarter, holding a slim 16-12 lead after 10 minutes of action, but expanded this lead quickly in the second quarter, outscoring Mansfield 23-8 in the frame to carry a 39-20 lead into the halftime break. West Chester kept its foot on the gas in the second half, leading by as many as 32 with 1:18 to play in the third quarter, and, despite an early fourth-quarter run by Mansfield, never allowed its guests back in the game. West Chester shot just 31.8 % from the field in the first quarter and 42.9 % in the second but shot a blistering 73.3 % in the third and 53.3 % in the fourth to end the game with a 47.9 % (35-of-73) field goal percentage. Rachel Conran came off the bench and made a team-high four threes, going 4-for-4 from deep in the fourth quarter to score a career-high 12 points, while Emily McAteer matched this output with 12 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double of her own. While few coaches are likely to look forward to busy stretches such as this, West Chester handled it as well as one could hope a year ago, going 8-0 when playing four games in eight days during the regular season while also winning a pair of NCAA Tournament games on back-to-back days at the end of the regular season, which led to the team reaching the Regional Final for the first time in program history.

Millersville Women’s Basketball Notes...Millersville enters play on Monday night desperate to halt a three-game skid, which has seen the Marauders drop from 5-4 in league play to 5-7 after losses to Mansfield (84-60), Kutztown (64-6) and, most recently, East Stroudsburg (65-55). At ESU on Saturday afternoon, Millersville found itself tied at 14-14 at the end of the first quarter and carried a six-point lead into the fourth quarter after outscoring the Warriors 22-11 in the third (shot 76.9 %; 10-of-13 from the field), but struggled down the stretch, shooting just 23.1 % (3-of-13) from the field in the fourth as the Warriors came back to steal a 65-55 victory. Makiah Shaw led the Marauders in scoring with 18 points and eight rebounds as one of three players in double figures in the setback. Sophie Elston scored 12 points of her own to go along with eight rebounds and three steals, while Jillian Crawford chipped in 11 off the bench. For the year, Millersville enters play, averaging 58.8 points per game on 40.4 % shooting from the field and 22.7 % from beyond the arc. The Marauders hold a +1.8 (36.8-35.0) advantage in rebounding but trail -4.0 in the turnover battle, averaging 19.9 turnovers per game. Individually, Shaw leads the team in scoring, averaging 12.8 points per game, while ranking second in rebounding, averaging 4.8 per game.

Up next for the Golden Rams ... Tonight is the Golden Ram’s lone Monday night game of the remainder of the regular season, and the team will return to action on Wednesday night at Bloomsburg before returning home to host PSAC East leader Lock Haven at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 3.

Chester vs Millersville-Hollinger Field House-January 29-5:30 p.m.

VS

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INSIDE THE MATCHUP

13-5 ..................................... Overall Record ..................................... 7-11 W5 ....................................... Current Streak .........................................L3 74.6 .....................................Points Per Game .................................... 58.8 56.2 ..................................... Scoring Defense .................................... 64.5 +18.4 .................................... Scoring Margin ...................................... -5.7 .443 ........................................ FG% Offense ...................................... ..404 .347 ....................................... FG % Defense ...................................... .388 .281 ................................... 3-PT FG % Offense .................................. .227 .239 ................................... 3-PT FG% Defense................................... .296 .790 ....................................... Free Throw % ..................................... ..685 42.2 .................................... Rebound Average ................................... 36.8 32.4 ................................ OPP. Rebound Average ............................... 35.0 +9.8 .....................................Rebound Margin ...................................... 1.8 13.7 .................................... Turnover Average ................................... 19.9 3.3 .......................................Turnover Margin ..................................... -4.0 16.1 .................................... Assists Per Game ................................... 12.6 9.2 ........................................ Steals Average ....................................... 8.5 2.4 ........................................ Blocks Average ....................................... 3.6

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STATISTICAL LEADERS

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SCORING

WEST CHESTER McAteer ........................... 16.5 Johnson ............................ 14.9 Kozicki ............................... 11.1 REBOUNDING WEST CHESTER McAteer ............................. 7.0 Kozicki ................................ 6.5 Johnson .............................. 5.1 ASSISTS WEST CHESTER Johnson .............................. 5.6 Kozicki ................................ 2.4 McTamney ......................... 1.7 STEALS WEST CHESTER Johnson.............................. 2.3 Kozicki ................................ 1.1 McAteer ............................. 1.0

Basketball

MILLERSVILLE Shaw ................. 12.8 Williams ............ 10.0 Elstone................ 7.6 MILLERSVILLE Ortwein ................ 5.3 Shaw .................... 4.8 Williams ............... 4.8 MILLERSVILLE Ingram ................. 4.2 Ortwein ................ 2.0 Elstone ................. 1.7 MILLERSVILLE Ortwein ................ 1.8 Elstone ................. 1.4 Williams ............... 1.3

#ramsup

ABOUT THE MATCHUP (MBB) WEST CHESTER (12-6, 9-3) Head Coach: Damien Blair

Career Record: (272-148)

VS.

ALL-TIME SERIES: WCU Leads 106-102 Streak: W1 First Meeting: 1903 W, 30-10 Last Meeting: 2/22/23 W, 96-91

MILLERSVILLE (14-4, 9-3) Head Coach: Casey Stitzel Career Record: (223-183)

Opening Tip... The West Chester University men’s basketball team enters play on Saturday afternoon looking for its fourth win as many tries, hoping to improve to 13-6 overall and 10-3 in league action with a win over Millersville. West Chester has completed an impressive turnaround since a 1-3 start to the year, winning 10 of its last 13 games, including a pair of wins the team has not recorded since the 2015-16 season, defeating a top-10 foe (No. 9 Cal on 1/3; 100-97) and defeating Shippensburg on the road on Wednesday night. West Chester will look to continue its winning ways today vs. Millersville as the Golden Rams hope to run their winning streak to two in a row over the Marauders. West Chester split the season series a year ago, falling to Millersville in Pucillo Gymnasium by a 79-72 final before picking up a 96-91 victory over the Marauders in double overtime in Hollinger Field House. This split improved West Chester to 106-102 all-time against Millersville in one of the Golden Ram’s oldest rivalries, as the series can be traced back to the 1903 season.

A year ago, the Golden Ram’s double OT win over the Marauders was the team’s first double OT victory since the 2015-16 season over Wilmington and first over a current league foe since the team defeated ESU during the 1979-80 season (W, 77-76). Robert Smith led the way offensively, scoring a team-high 21 points, but it was Dame Wall and Elijah Allen who played the heroes in OT, combining for 12 points in the extra session to help West Chester earn the victory and eventually its first PSAC East crown since 2006.

WCU Men’s Basketball Notes ... West Chester entered play on Saturday with the simple goal of extending its winning streak to three in a row with a victory over Mansfield. Despite a slow start to the game, which saw the two sides trade blows throughout much of the first 20 minutes, West Chester was able to pull away for an 83-73 victory over the Mountaineers. The first half featured six ties and seven lead changes, but West Chester was able to carry a slim 33-28 lead into the halftime break. Out of the break, the lead would not change hands again as the Golden Rams opened the half on a 22-10 run, which saw the team take a double-digit lead over the Mounties and never relinquish it down the stretch. Robert Smith scored a game-high 23 on 8-of-15 shooting, scoring 17 of those points on 6-of-8 shooting in the second half as the first of four Golden Rams in double figures in the victory. Jordan Kellier continued to be a menace inside as well, finishing with 15 points and 12 rebounds for yet another double-double for the grad transfer forward. West Chester shot a stellar 69.2 % (18-of-26) from the field in the second half to erase any thoughts of an upset on Saturday afternoon as the Golden Rams shot 57.4 % (31-of-54) from the field and 33.3 % (6-of-18) from beyond the arc in the win. Smith’s 23-point effort increased his season average to 17.1, while Allen, who finished with 18 on 8-of-15 shooting as well, continues to lead the team in scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game. Faced with the prospect of playing four games in eight days a year ago, West Chester went 3-1 in that stretch before going 2-1 in a three-games-in, four-day stretch later in the season, handling the busy season about as well as one could hope.

Millersville Men’s Basketball Notes... Riding a seven-game winning streak and looking nearly unbeatable over the last month, Millersville traveled to East Stroudsburg on Saturday afternoon, hoping to pull an upset on the nationally-ranked Warriors. Like many things, this idea proved to be little more than a hope as ESU jumped out to a 10-point lead at the half and never relinquished it en route to a 98-77 victory over the Marauders. A familiar face to West Chester men’s basketball fans of a certain age, Matt Dade finished with a team-high 24 points in the setback, while Jaden Faulkner added 22 of his own in the ill-fated upset bid. The Marauders shot 44.2% from the field in the victory and committed 22 turnovers as the ESU defense continues to make a significant impact this season. Entering play on Monday, Millersville ranks among the top offensive units in the PSAC, averaging 79.5 points per game on 48.3 % shooting and 33.8 % from three-point range. Dade and Faulkner lead the team in scoring, averaging 17.8 and 16.8 points per game, while Faulkner is tied with Jahme Ested for the team lead in rebounding, averaging 5.3 per game.

Up Next for the Golden Rams ... Today is part of a busy stretch for West Chester, which will see the team play four games in eight days. West Chester ventures back out on the road on Wednesday night to take on Bloomsburg beginning at 7:30 before hosting Lock Haven on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. in its lone Saturday game of the month of February.

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VS INSIDE THE MATCHUP

12-6 ..................................... Overall Record .................................... 14-4 W3 ....................................... Current Streak ........................................ L1 80.4 ....................................Points Per Game................................... 79.5 77.8 ....................................Scoring Defense ....................................71.3 2.6 ....................................... Scoring Margin .......................................8.2 .460 ......................................FG% Offense ...................................... .483 .454 ...................................... FG % Defense ..................................... .449 .346 .................................. 3-PT FG % Offense ................................. .338 .323 .................................. 3-PT FG% Defense ................................. .340 .710 ...................................... Free Throw % ..................................... .721 38.1 ...................................Rebound Average .................................. 35.2 32.2 .............................. OPP. Rebound Average ............................. 32.7 5.9 ......................................Rebound Margin......................................2.5 14.2 ................................... Turnover Average ...................................13.1 0.4 ...................................... Turnover Margin ......................................1.8 13.1 ................................... Assists Per Game .................................. 15.3 7.8 ....................................... Steals Average ....................................... 7.1 3.1 .......................................Blocks Average ....................................... 3.1

STATISTICAL LEADERS SCORING

WEST CHESTER Allen ................................. 18.7 Smith ................................ 17.1 Walker .............................. 13.2 REBOUNDING WEST CHESTER Kellier................................. 9.8 Walker ................................ 6.3 Allen ................................... 4.7 ASSISTS WEST CHESTER Purnell Jr. ........................... 4.0 Kellier................................. 2.7 Smith ................................. 2.0 STEALS WEST CHESTER Allen................................... 1.4 Smith ................................. 1.3 Purnell Jr. .......................... 1.1

MILLERSVILLE Dade .................17.9 Faulkner .......... 16.8 Waters.. ........... 13.2 MILLERSVILLE Ested ................... 5.3 Faulkner ............. 5.3 Stover. ................ 5.2 MILLERSVILLE Faulkner ............ 5.1 Ested .................. 3.5 Stover ................ 1.7 MILLERSVILLE Faulkner ............ 1.8 Waters ............... 1.1 Borden .............. 0.9

#ramsup

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THE BLAIR REPORT Damien

Blair

TITLE: Head Coach Years at WCU: 16 Alma Mater: West Chester ‘06

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CAREER RECORD

Year 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2021-22 2022-23 Total

Record Postseason 18-10 (9-5) PSAC 16-11 (5-9) 14-12 (5-9) 19-10 (14-8) PSAC 20-8 (17-5) PSAC 20-10(11-5) NCAA 16-13 (14-8) PSAC 23-7 (17-5) NCAA 14-15 (11-11) PSAC 22-7 (17-5) NCAA 22-9 (17-5) NCAA 20-10 (13-9) PSAC 17-11 (10-11) PSAC 21-8 (16-6) PSAc 262-148 (15) 12/14

Head Coach Damien Blair completed his 15th season at the helm of the Golden Rams in 2022-23. In his 14 seasons with the Purple & Gold, Blair boasts a 262-142 (.648) overall record with four NCAA Tournament appearances in the last seven years.

Blair has orchestrated a 176-101 (.635) mark in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) contests throughout his tenure, and under his tutelage, the Golden Rams have landed inside the top-three of the PSAC East standings nine times, including a share of the regular-season crown in 2022-23 and six second-place nishes. West Chester has advanced to the PSAC Championship Game on three occasions. The West Chester University alum boasts a 11-12 record in the PSAC Tournament and a 1-4 record in the NCAA Tournament.

It was Blair’s mission that winter to orchestrate a return to the PSAC seminals and with it a shot at a PSAC championship. Blair led West Chester to the PSAC postseason tournament in his rst season on the sideline in 2008-09, after inheriting a squad that had not reached the playoffs the previous two campaigns.

One of the top guards in school history, Blair made a big splash in his rst season as head coach at his alma mater. The Golden Rams nished 18-10 overall and 9-5 in conference play, nishing third overall in the Eastern Division and leading the Rams to the quarternals of the PSAC postseason tournament. A loss to cross-town rival Cheyney ended Blair’s inaugural season prematurely.

He made the leap into the college game from the high school ranks where he led nearby Downingtown High School to the Ches-Mont League boys’ basketball championship -- the rst title in school history -- in 2007 and a spot in the PIAA state playoffs for the fourth time during his tenure. Overall, Blair compiled a high school career coaching record of 173-78 (.689). Blair left Downingtown High as the school’s all-time winningest boy’s basketball coach. He was named the Daily Local News coach of the year as well as ChesMont League coach of the year his nal season.

During his collegiate playing career, Blair set seven individual scoring records on the career, season and game levels. His 2,025 career points stands second all-time at West Chester University and ninth all-time in PSAC history. The ashy guard was a two-time PSAC East player of the year (1994, 1995) and four-time all-league selection, including three rst-team nods, during his illustrious playing career. Blair was inducted into the Messikomer Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame at West Chester University in 2001.

Blair played semi-professional basketball with the Delaware Blue Bombers of the United States Basketball League for a brief stint, after his college career came to a close and was even invited to the Philadelphia 76ers tryout camp in 1996.

Blair received his bachelor’s of science degree in Education from WCU in May 2006 and is a certied Health & Physical Education instructor in the state of Pennsylvania. He completed his master’s in Athletic Administration from WCU in May 2007.

TONIGHT’S LINEUPS

West Chester University Golden Rams Women’s Basketball Roster (13-5, 8-4)

No. 0 2 3 4 10 12 13 14 20 21 22 24 25 32 33

Player Kyla Glasser-Hyman Jayde Boyd Leah Johnson Alianna Hopta Michelle Kozicki Kaziah Ross Alana Boyer Erin Daley Emily McAteer Sofia Coleman Morgan Warley Briana Seltzer Valerie McGriff Anna McTamney Rachel Conran

Pos. G G G G F G G F F/C G G/F G F/C G G/F

Ht. 5-6 5-9 5-5 5-7 6-0 5-6 5-7 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-9 5-9 6-0 5-10 5-8

Cl. Fr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

Hometown/High School Inzai, Japan / Hightstown Pittsburgh, PA. / Oakland Catholic Columbus, N.J. / Notre Dame York, Pa. / West York Wilmington, Del. / Padua Academy Binghamton, N.Y. / Binghamton Harrisburg, Pa. / Susquenita Lafayette Hill, Pa. / Plymouth Whitemarsh Thornton, Pa. / Garnet Valley Dresher, Pa. / Gwynedd Mercy Academy West Chester, Pa. / Villa Maria Academy Reading, Pa. / Reading Lansdale, Pa. / North Penn Plymouth Meeting, Pa. / Plymouth Whitemarsh Springfield, Pa. / Springfield

Head Coach: Kiera Wooden (West Chester University ‘03) - 10th season

Assistant Coach: Allison Hostetter (West Chester University ‘12) - 9th season, Mary Fromhartz

Millersville University Marauders Women’s Basketball Roster (7-11, 5-7)

No. 1 2 3 4 5 11 12 15 20 22 23 25 32

Player Sophie Elstone Juliana Vinluan Brenna Ortwein Morgan Mahoney Jillian Crawford Rhyan Mitchell Bua Rojanasoonthon Molli Hogbin Makiah Shaw Madison Grubb La’Shyra Williams Alyssa Rodriques Jabria Ingram

Pos. G G G G/F G G F C F G C G G

Ht. 5-7 5-7 5-7 6-1 5-8 5-11 5-11 6-3 6-0 5-7 6-1 5-5 5-8

Cl. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. RJr. RSr. Jr. Gr.

Head Coach: Kira Mowen (Youngstown State) Assistant Coach: Brett Vana, Jordyn Kloster, Megan Zullo

Hometown/High School Eugene, Ore. / Churchill San Diego, Calif. / Mt. Carmel Bethlehem, Pa. / Freedom Milton, Del. / Cape Henlopen Fallston, Md. / Fallston Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle Bangkok, Thailand / American School of Bangkok Berkeley Springs, W.Va. / Milton Hershey Red Lion, Pa. / Red Lion Philadelphia, Pa. / Bishop Eustace Baltimore, Md. / Institute of Notre Dame Newark, N.J. / University Philadelphia, Pa. / Neumann-Goretti

TONIGHT’S LINEUPS

West Chester University Golden Rams Men’s Basketball Roster (12-6, 9-3)

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/High School 0 Myles Grey G 5-10 175 Fr. Reading, Pa. / Reading 1 Anthony Purnell Jr. G 6-0 150 So. Chester, Pa. / Kiski Prep 2 Robert Smith G 6-1 180 Jr. Philadelphia, Pa. / Bishop McDevitt 3 Saleem Payne G 5-10 160 Fr. Philadelphia, Pa. / Phelps School 4 Elijah Allen G 6-2 180 Jr. Dover, Del. / Dover 10 Luke Boyd G 6-2 170 So. Somerton, Pa. / Archbishop Ryan 11 Joshua Walker F 6-8 230 Jr. Upper Marlboro, Md. / Riverdale Baptist 13 Darrius Phillips F 6-8 225 Fr. East Stroudsburg, Pa. / Seton Hall Prep 14 Nix Varano G 6-2 175 So. Chalfont, Pa. / La Salle College High School 15 Isaiah Thomas-McClain G 6-5 185 R-So. Cheltenham, Pa. / Cheltenham 20 Tristan Thomas F 6-9 250 So. Medford, N.J. / IMG Academy 21 Mirko Bramati G 6-7 190 Fr. Bologna, Italy / St. Thomas More 22 Alex Walinski G/F 6-4 180 Jr. New Hope, Pa. / New Hope Solebury 23 Moro Osumanu G/F 6-6 180 Jr. Reading, Pa. / Reading 24 Jordan Kellier F 6-5 220 Gr. Kingston, Jamaica / Redemption Christian

Head Coach: Damien Blair (West Chester ’06) 16th season Assistant Coach: Ben Kay (Drexel ’12), Eric Anderson, Bill Coleman, Isaiah Lester

Millersville University Marauders Men’s Basketball Roster (14-4, 9-3)

No. 1 2 3 4 5 12 15 20 22 24 32 33 34 42

Name Pos. Dylin Borden G Jahme Ested G Jaden Faulkner G Day Waters G J.D. Gross G Jacob Aryee G Keith Mency G Jalen Pierce G Tye Thompson G C.J. McPherson G Matt Dade F Tobi Ogunbare F Jordan Nkoa AbessoloF Drew Stover F

Ht. 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-4 6-6 6-8 6-5 6-8

Wt. 170 189 195 198 190 205 180 160 185 200 215 220 198 245

Yr. RJr. RJr. Gr. So. RSo. So. So. RFr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Jr.

Hometown/High School Pasadena, Md. / Annapolis Area Christian Richmond, Va. / Henrico Landover, Md. / Eleanor Roosevelt Silver Spring, Md. / Our Lady of Good Counsel Clinton, Md. / Rock Creek Christian Bowie, Md. / St. Mary’s Annapolis Edgewater, N.J. / South Kent Prep Richmond, Va. / Collegiate School Chicago, Ill. / Bishop Ireton Virginia Beach, Va. / Catholic Collegeville, Pa. / Episcopal Academy Dublin, Ireland / Lawrence (Mass.)

Yaoundé, Cameroon / St. Maria Goretti Oreland, Pa. / Upper Dublin

Head Coach: Casey Stitzel (Widener ‘05) Seventh season Assistant Coach: Daniel Eacho, Dexter Harris

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Notes 2023-24 Men’s Basketball Conference Standings and Statistics

Conference Standings 2023-24 Eastern Division Place School 1.

E. Stroudsburg 2.

Lock Haven 3.

Millersville 4.

West Chester 5.

Shepherd 6.

Mansfield 7.

Bloomsburg 8.

Shippensburg 9.

Kutztown Western Division Place School 1.

Gannon 2.

Cal (Pa.) 3.

IUP 4.

Seton Hill 5.

Slippery Rock 6.

Mercyhurst 7.

Clarion 8.

Edinboro 9.

Pitt-Johnstown

Conf.

10-2 10-2 9-3 9-3 4-8 4-9 2-10 2-11 1-11

Overall 16-2 12-5 14-4 12-6 7-10 6-12 4-14 5-13 2-16

Conf.

11-2 10-2 10-2 6-6 6-6 5-7 4-8 4-8 3-10

Overall 17-2 16-2 13-5 11-7 8-10 9-11 6-12 5-13 5-14

Statistical Leaders 2023-24 POINTS/GAME Name KJ McClurg Bernie Blunt Josh Omojafo

School CAL BORO GAN

Ppg. 22.9 20.1 19.7

School WCU ROCK IUP

Rpg. 9.8 9.7 8.9

School GAN VILLE IUP

Apg. 5.9 5.1 5.1

School ESU GAN IUP

Stlpg.

2.6 2.6 2.4

REBOUNDS Name Jordan Kellier Lashon Lindsay Ethan Porterfield ASSISTS Name Derrick James Jaden Faulkner Garvin Clarke STEALS Name Jaelen McGlone Derrick James Garvin Clarke

PSAC East Preseason Coaches’ Polls Men’s PSAC East Preseason Poll 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

East Stroudsburg (5) West Chester (3) Millersville Shepherd (1) Shippensburg Lock Haven Kutztown Bloomsburg Mansfield

Men’s PSAC West Preseason Poll 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

IUP (5) California (4) Mercyhurst Slippery Rock Pitt-Johnstown Seton Hill Gannon Clarion Edinboro

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Notes 2023-24 Women’s Basketball Conference Standings and Statistics

Conference Standings 2023-24 Eastern Division Place School 1.

Lock Haven 2.

West Chester 3.

Kutztown 4.

E. Stroudsburg 5.

Millersville 6.

Mansfield 7.

Shepherd 8.

Bloomsburg 9.

Shippensburg

Conf.

12-0 8-4 7-5 5-7 5-7 5-8 2-10 2-10 2-11

Overall 17-1 13-5 9-9 7-10 7-11 8-10 4-13 4-14 3-16

Western Division Place School 1.

Gannon 2.

Cal (Pa.) 3.

IUP 4.

Mercyhurst 5.

Seton Hill 6.

Edinboro 7.

Pitt-Johnstown 8.

Slippery Rock 9.

Clarion

Conf.

13-0 9-3 9-3 8-4 7-5 7-5 7-6 2-10 0-12

Overall 21-1 14-4 13-4 12-6 10-8 9-8 12-7 2-13 0-18

Statistical Leaders 2023-24 POINTS/GAME Name Katelin Starr Christiane Frye Sam Pirosko

School BLOOM SHU GAN

Ppg. 19.6 19.0 18.5

School IUP BLM MANS

Rpg. 9.5 9.1 8.4

School WCU UPJ BLOOM

Apg. 5.6 4.9 4.7

School SHU IUP WCU

Stlpg.

3.2 2.6 2.3

REBOUNDS Name Nyshae’ Weaver Katelin Starr Jasmine Hilton ASSISTS Name Leah Johnson Olivia Fasick Ella Kale STEALS Name Christiane Frye Rahmena Henderson Leah Johnson

PSAC East Preseason Coaches’ Polls PSAC East Preseason Poll 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

West Chester (8) Kutztown (1) Shippensburg Bloomsburg East Stroudsburg Lock Haven Millersville Mansfield Shepherd

PSAC West Preseason Poll 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

California (5) Gannon (2) IUP (1) Edinboro Pitt-Johnstown (1) Seton Hill Mercyhurst Slippery Rock Clarion

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2023-24 West Chester University Cheerleaders Pos. Cl. Hometown / High School From late August through early-to-mid March each Name Aguiar Base Sr. Delran, N.J./Delran school year, West Chester University’s cheerleaders are front Alexis Kira Bhuta (C) Flyer Sr. Burlington, N.J./Burlington Twp. Base Fr. Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley and center at all Golden Rams football games in the fall and Jasmin Bullers Casale Back So. Springfield, Pa./Springfield both men’s and women’s basketball games in the winter. Alexis Charli Culbert (C) Backspot Sr. Upper Chichester, Pa./Chichester Additionally, West Chester University’s cheerleaders have Mia Fornito Flyer Sr. Medford, N.J./Shawnee Emily Ham Backspot So. West Grove, Pa./Padua Academy traveled to Orlando, Fla., and the Wide World of Sports in Justice Haynes Flyer Fr. Reading, Pa./Conrad Weiser January to compete in the UCA Nationals. The Golden Rams Cameron Heron Base Fr. Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Hubert Flyer So. Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley Cheer Squad placed among the top five at UCA Nationals Madison Hines Sarah Hogan Base Jr. Holland, Pa./Council Rock South in each of the past two years, including a runner-up perfor- Julia Hunt (C) Base So. Ridley, Pa./Archbishop Carroll McKenna Maffei Flyer Jr. Oxford, Pa./Oxford Area mance in 2023.

Adelyn Mariani Flyer Fr. Springfield, Pa./Springfield The cheerleaders work hard in the preseason learning Emily Matienzo Base Sr. Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Jefferson Twp. Sr. Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge mostly new material for the upcoming campaign, condition- Jacqueline Nadera Flyer Allison Nadin Base So. Chadds Ford, Pa./Unionville ing and developing a pride in the West Chester University Samantha Noble Base Fr. Bordentown, N.J./No. Burlington Backspot Fr. Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East community. Aside from preparing their 35-member team for Olivia Ople Caroline Orokos Base Sr. No. Brunswick, N.J./No. Brunswick Twp. the year ahead, the West Chester University cheerleaders Kylie Orseno Backspot Fr. North Wales, Pa./North Penn Fr. Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West also host high school clinics in order to develop cheerleading Cameryn Pellegrini Base Madison Polansky Flyer So. Lansdale, Pa./North Penn around the area.

Alyssa Redding Base Sr. Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty Base Jr. Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood The West Chester University cheerleaders take on many Abby Roman Keilian Rudisill Base Fr. Reading, Pa./Exeter community service projects focusing mainly on breast can- Noelle Schusko Backspot So. Malvern, Pa./Pope John Paul cer awareness, as well as doing many youth and high school Madison Skowronek Base Sr. Media, Pa./Penncrest Stein Base Fr. Norristown, Pa./Norristown cheering clinics, donating to needy schools and volunteering Devon Marnie String Backspot So. Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West with the elderly within the West Chester community.

Lexi Swisher Flyer Jr. Morgantown, Pa./Twin Valley Base Fr. Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Hubert The team also makes many public appearances as rep- Kyleigh Taylor Peyton Taylor Base Fr. Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom resentatives of WCU, highlighted each holiday season with Victoria Zencak Base Fr. Warrington, Pa./CB South Fr. Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley a spot in the West Chester Borough’s annual Christmas Pa- Emiily Zoellner Base rade.

Head Coach: Jacqueline Kline

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