Box Score

INDIANA, PA – Four Crimson Hawks scored in double-figures  as IUP rallied from eight down in the second half for a 75-59 win over Goldey-Beacom in the season opener at the Kovalchick Complex on Saturday afternoon.

The Crimson Hawks (1-0) started strong, taking a 14-7 lead a little more than seven minutes into the game, as Sarah Pastorek (Johnstown/Bishop McCort) knocked in a quick seven points. Goldey-Beacom fought back, with Akiliah Sewell's layup at the 8:55 mark getting the Lightning to within one at 17-16.

After a three-pointer by Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center) made it 20-16 in favor of IUP, the Lightning responded with a 13-3 run to take a 29-23 lead with 2:38 left to play in the half.

IUP then got a jumper from Ashley Stoner (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Thomas Jefferson) and a slashing layup by Marita Mathe (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) to cut its deficit to 29-27 with 38 seconds left, but the Lightning responded with a jumper and a layup by Sewell as time expired to take a 33-27 lead into the break.

The Lightning extended their lead to eight at 35-27 with an early layup, but Arika Ullman (Baltimore, MD/Seton Keough) would answer with a three to bring it back to five. After going 1:56 without a score by either team, Ullman struck again with two huge back-to-back threes as the Crimson Hawks took a 36-35 lead with 15:36 left in the half.

Goldey-Beacom would tie it at 36-apiece before going on a 7-2 run to take a 43-38 lead a little more than three minutes later. Baskets by Stoner, Mathe, Pastorek and Leslie Stapleton (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) helped give the Crimson Hawks a 46-45 lead, and would later stretch it to a 50-47 after another layup by Mathe at the 7:37 mark.

After a pair of free throws by Irene Hudson brought the Lightning back to within one at 50-49, the Crimson Hawks responded by scoring 14 of the next 16 points, including a three by Stapleton and a traditional three-point play by Pastorek, as IUP took a commanding 64-51 lead with 1:34 left.

From there the Crimson Hawks would go on to make 11-of-12 free throws to close out the Lightning with the 16-point come-from-behind victory.

Goldey-Beacom was led by Sewell, who finished with 14 points, 22 rebounds and four blocked shots. Hudson scored 15 points while Devonn Richardson added another 15 and eight boards.

Ullman and Pastorek each scored 12 points, pacing the Crimson Hawks, with Ullman knocking down 4-of-7 three-pointers. Pastorek added eight rebounds and displayed timely passing with four assists. Talen Watson (Odenton, MD/Arundel) scored 10 points for IUP, going 6-of-6 at the line and adding four assists while Vianca Tejada (Pennsauken, NJ/Cherry Hill East) came off the bench to score 10 in just 16 minutes.

Despite being out-rebounded 49-33, the Crimson Hawks boasted a better field goal percentage (43.1-33.3) and a better free throw percentage (77.3-56.5).

The win was the first for IUP basketball at the brand new Kovalchick Complex, as the Crimson Hawks honored their alumni during a halftime ceremony.

The Crimson Hawks are back in action next weekend as they travel to play Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division foes Cheyney on Saturday and Shippensburg on Sunday.