Basketball fans around here have a new name to keep an eye on: Junior guard Shariah Gailes from Canisius University.
Fresh off being named the Air Force Reserve MAAC Women’s Basketball Co-Player of the Week, Gailes is quickly becoming one of the most efficient and clutch scorers in the conference.
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And it’s all happening just as league play kicks off against a familiar foe: Saint Peter’s, a team that’s no stranger to our backyard.
Gailes Delivers in Crunch Time
Gailes grabbed her weekly honor with a big game in Canisius’ 65–60 win over Wright State, marking the Golden Griffins’ second straight victory.
The junior from Brooklyn, Ohio dropped 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds, hitting 6-for-11 from the field.
What really set this one apart was how Gailes took over when it mattered most.
Canisius trailed by five with under three minutes left, then went on a late run.
With the pressure on in the final seconds, Gailes calmly hit two free throws with 11 seconds left, locking up the win.
Consistency Behind the Breakout
This wasn’t some fluke performance.
The Wright State game marked Gailes’ second time this season scoring 20 or more, and honestly, it fits a bigger pattern of steady play and grit.
Through eight games, she leads Canisius with 14.9 points per game, which puts her fourth in the whole MAAC.
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She’s doing work on the glass too, tied for fifth in the conference at 7.5 rebounds per game.
That’s huge for a team that needs its guards to step up everywhere.
Having a guard who can start the offense and finish plays on the boards? That’s not something you see every day.
Elite Efficiency Across the Stat Sheet
Gailes really stands out for her efficiency.
These days, everyone’s obsessed with analytics, and she’s ticking all the boxes coaches and scouts want.
Her early-season numbers in the MAAC are starting to get noticed, and for good reason.
She’s not just scoring—she’s doing it with some of the most accurate shooting in the league, from the floor and the free-throw line.
Top-Tier Shooting and Free-Throw Reliability
Gailes is one of just three players in the MAAC shooting 50 percent or better from the field, which is rare for a perimeter scorer who takes a lot of shots.
She also sits ninth in the league in free-throw percentage at 81.8 percent, which pairs accuracy with a bit of fearlessness.
Maybe most impressive, she leads the conference with 55 free-throw attempts through eight games.
That tells you she’s not just settling for jumpers—she attacks, draws contact, and makes defenses pay.
Canisius Turns Toward MAAC Play—and Saint Peter’s
With non-conference games done, Canisius now turns to the real test: MAAC league play.
The Golden Griffins start conference action by hosting Saint Peter’s, and you can catch it streaming on ESPN+.
It’s a good shot for Gailes to show off her all-around game against a program known for being tough and scrappy on defense.
Saint Peter’s will probably put stopping Gailes at the top of their list.
For Canisius, this matchup offers a first look at where they stand in a league that gets gritty fast after the holidays.
Expect the scouting report to spotlight her ability to attack closeouts, rebound as a guard, and close out games at the line.
MAAC Hoops and the Jersey City Connection
Saint Peter’s sits just off Kennedy Boulevard, tucked into the heart of Jersey City’s ever-changing city districts. MAAC basketball has turned into a winter ritual for local sports fans—something you just can’t ignore if you’re around here.
Maybe you’re catching a game at Run Baby Run Arena. Or maybe you’re watching Saint Peter’s on the road, facing players like Gailes. Either way, the conference brings Division I action just a quick ride from home.
Thinking about a hoops weekend? There’s no shortage of things to do in Jersey City before or after tip-off. Walk the waterfront, grab a bite at a neighborhood spot, or just soak in those skyline views—whatever feels right.
Jersey City hotels are close by, so it’s simple to turn the whole thing into a sports getaway. Most first-timers spend a bit of time figuring out where to stay in Jersey City to stay close to the arena and the PATH trains.
If you’re a MAAC diehard or just checking out the league on ESPN+, it’s hard not to keep an eye on players like Shariah Gailes. Saint Peter’s is always on the move in the conference, but honestly, getting to Jersey City for a home game is still one of the best ways to catch this level of basketball up close.
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Here is the source article for this story: Gailes Tabbed MAAC Co-Player of the Week
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