Box Score

CALIFORNIA, PA – Sarah Pastorek (Johnstown/Bishop McCort) posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, adding three blocked shots as 23rd-ranked IUP defeated California 59-47 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West women's basketball action on Wednesday night at the Convocation Center.
 
The win breaks a tie in the PSAC West between the two schools as the Crimson Hawks move into third place in the division with a 7-3 conference record. The Vulcans are now 6-4 in the conference.
 
This was Pastorek's second double-double of the season and 15th of her career. She finished 4-of-9 from the field and had another successful outing from the foul line, going 8-of-9. Over her last five games she's averaging 17.3 points and has converted 26-of-30 (86.7 percent) from the foul line.
 
Marita Mathe (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) just missed giving IUP another double-double on the night, scoring 10 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center) and Talen Watson (Odenton, MD/Arundel) each added 11 points.
 
It was back-and-forth in the early going, tied at 10-10 after a jumper by Cal's Emma Mahady at the 9:45 mark. Mathe answered the a three-pointer on the very next possession, jumpstarting an 8-0 run by IUP that gave the Crimson Hawks an 18-10 lead with 7:31 to go in the half.
 
IUP later built its lead to nine before the Vulcans rallied before the break, closing the Crimson Hawks lead to 27-22 going into halftime.
 
The Vulcans went on a 9-0 run to start the second half, taking a 31-27 lead at the 17:49 mark. IUP fought back, tying it 2:28 later at 35-35 on a three-pointer by Fairman before a 5-0 run by Cal made it a 40-35 contest at the 13:56 mark.
 
The IUP defense locked up at that point, allowing just seven points the rest of the way while the Crimson Hawks scored 22 to take control of the game. The last Cal points came with 4:16 left in the game on a three-pointer by Stephanie Michael, which cut IUP's lead to 55-47 after a 16-2 run by the Crimson Hawks.
 
Despite turning the ball over 21 times, the Crimson Hawks took the victory by forcing Cal into shooting just 27.8 percent (20-72) from the field. IUP also outrebounded the Vulcans 50-40 and converted 13 free throws compared to just three for Cal.
 
Pastorek also moved up two spots amongst IUP's all-time scoring leaders, exiting the game in 12th place with 1,203 career points. She's now 22 points away from moving into the top 10.
 
The Crimson Hawks (12-4, 7-3) are back in action on Saturday when they return to the KCAC to host Clarion (8-8, 4-6). Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.