Men's Basketball | 1/18/2016 3:52:00 PM

ERIE, Pa. – At a press conference Monday afternoon at the Bianchi Honda showroom, Mercyhurst and Gannon school officials, along with Bianchi Honda owner Jason Porreco, revealed new traditions that will take place starting at Wednesday night's game at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center (MAC).

The Mercyhurst-Gannon men's basketball rivalry will now be known as the Porreco Pride of Erie Games. Wednesday's inaugural matchup will tipoff at 7:30 p.m. while the second showdown between the two teams is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, at the Hammermill Center and will also tip at 7:30 p.m.

At the conclusion of each game, the winner will receive the Porreco Pride of Erie trophy, much like the football rivalry's Niagara Cup. The winner of each game will hold on to the trophy until defending it during the next match-up. The game will also feature a "Game Changer Award" given to the student-athlete who had the most impact on the outcome of the game.                

"Jason (Porreco) has done a tremendous job creating more excitement around the game," said Mercyhurst head coach Gary Manchel. "The game has always been as much an event as a game in the 12 years I've been here. And this just adds more to it."

Porreco and game organizers also plan to distribute Porreco Pride of Erie Game t-shirts to each University's student fan base and give away gift cards to fans in attendance throughout the game.
 
Mercyhurst – Gannon Game Notes
 
Gannon (3-12, 2-10 PSAC) enters Wednesday's matchup losing two straight and nine of their last ten. Jean Yves Toupane leads the Golden Knights in scoring, averaging 15.1 points per game while their defense is holding opponents to 72.3 points per game. The Golden Knights have won the past three games against the Lakers, holding a 50-20 all-time series lead.
 
Mercyhurst (12-4, 9-3 PSAC) heads into the Porreco Pride of Erie game on a six game winning streak, due in large part to their stellar defensive play. The Lakers are again one of the best defensive clubs in the country, ranking third in the NCAA in scoring defense, allowing only 61.4 points per game. Coach Manchel has his team a half game out of first in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division behind IUP.