Box Score
INDIANA, PA – The 19th-ranked Crimson Hawks connected on 53 percent from the floor, including 14-of-21 from three-point range, and five players scored in double-figures as IUP routed visiting Mercyhurst 100-47 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West women's basketball action on Saturday night at the KCAC.
Marita Mathe (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana),
Ashley Stoner (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Thomas Jefferson) and
Marina Wareham (New Wilmington, Pa. /Kennedy Catholic) each scored 14 points for the Crimson Hawks, who improved to 14-5 overall and 9-4 in conference play.
The Crimson Hawks finished 35-of-66 from the floor as a team and the 14 three-pointers made are second all-time for an IUP team in a single game, two short of the record of 16 set against Clarion in 2005.
Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center) had another all-around game with 12 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and five steals.
Lindsay Stamp (Erie, Pa. /Mercyhurst Prep) scored 11 points against her former team in her first career start.
Five different players hit from beyond the arc for the Crimson Hawks, including Wareham (4-of-5), Mathe (4-of-6), Fairman (2-of-2), Stamp (2-of-4) and
Jessica Wallace (Vanderhoof, BC/Nechako Valley Secondary) (2-of-4).
IUP made its first eight three-pointers and finished the first half connecting on 22-of-38 from the field to hold a 56-25 lead over the Lakers at intermission. A 14-0 run midway through the second half highlighted the last 20 minutes and gave the Crimson Hawks a 47-point lead at 80-33 before the final buzzer sounded with a 53-point spread.
The 100 points is the ninth most scored in program history and the first time since November 16, 2008 against Salem International (108-21) that IUP has reached the century mark.
The 53-point margin of victory is the most by the Crimson Hawks since defeating Cheyney by 58 (83-25) in November of 2011.
The Crimson Hawks didn't allow a single Lakers player to score in double-figures as IUP forced 24 turnovers. They also outrebounded Mercyhurst 49-to-22.
The Crimson Hawks are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Lock Haven to take on the Bald Eagles. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
