Box Score

INDIANA, PA – Sarah Pastorek (Johnstown/Bishop McCort) scored a game-high 16 points for the Crimson Hawks but it wasn't enough on Saturday night as 16th-ranked IUP lost to Millersville 60-53 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) women's basketball action.

The loss drops the Crimson Hawks to 11-4 on the season and 6-3 in PSAC play, tied with California for third in the Western Division.

Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center) also reached double-figures with 12 points, collecting six rebounds and two steals. She finished 4-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range. Pastorek also grabbed seven rebounds and had a pair of steals.

It was a back-and-forth game throughout the first half with neither team holding a lead larger than three at any point. After Millersville tied the score at 27-27 with less than two minutes to go, the Crimson Hawks forced the Marauders into a pair of poor shots and took the lead going into the break on a layup by Talen Watson (Odenton, MD/Arundel) with six seconds left.

Millersville (9-4, 6-3) started the second half with back-to-back three pointers by Carly Gallagher to take a 33-29 lead within the first 1:07. The lead would extend to seven a few minutes later and then to 11 with 5:17 to go on the clock.

A free throw by Melanie Todd (Springfield, VA/West Springfield) with 55 seconds left got IUP back to within seven at 52-45 before a three by Watson 15 seconds later cut the Crimson Hawks deficit to 55-50. Gallagher converted a pair of free throws but Fairman knocked down another IUP three-pointer to close the gap to four with just 30 seconds to go.

However, the Marauders would take advantage of their free throw chances down the stretch to close out a seven-point road win.

Gallagher led Millersville with 15 points while Mashira Newman had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

IUP outrebounded Millersville 38-31, grabbing 17 offensive boards, but turned the ball over 24 times.

During the PSAC crossover weekend Pastorek moved into 14th place all-time at IUP with 1,181 career points. She's now 11 points shy of moving into 13th place and 43 away from moving into the top 10.

The Crimson Hawks are back in action on Wednesday as they get back to their PSAC West schedule with a road game at California. Tipoff between the rivals is set for 5:30 p.m.