IUP Crimson Hawks (18-6, 13-5) at Mercyhurst Lakers (7-15, 7-11)
Saturday, February 16, 2013 | 1:00 PM
Mercyhurst Athletic Center | Erie, PA

Complete Game Notes (.PDF)

LIVE COVERAGE
Watch: AmericaOneSports.com
Listen: RedZoneMedia.com (WQMU 92.5 FM)
Stats: HurstAthletics.com

AT A GLANCE
As the regular season enters its home stretch, the Crimson Hawks continue to battle for tournament positioning as they enter their Saturday road matchup with Mercyhurst. IUP is currently 3rd in the PSAC West, one game back of Edinboro and has won 5 of its last 6 games. Currently 6th in the division, the Lakers have won 2 of their last 3 games.

LAST TIME OUT
So. F Ashley Stoner (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Thomas Jefferson) posted her 2nd double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Crimson Hawks defeated rival Cal 59-51 in overtime on Wednesday. So. G Lindsay Stamp (Erie, Pa. /Mercyhurst Prep) scored a game-high 16 points and added 9 rebounds as IUP's 8-0 run in the extra period sealed the win.

FIRST MEETING
IUP had a near historic day in a 100-47 home win over the Lakers back on Jan. 26. The 9th most points scored in program history, the Crimson Hawks shot 53 pct. from the floor, made 14 3's, and had 5 players reach double figures in scoring. Stoner, So. G Marita Mathe (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) and Fr. G Marina Wareham (New Wilmington, Pa. /Kennedy Catholic) all scored 14 points. 

HITTING HER STRIDE
Mathe has increased her scoring in the Crimson Hawks last 3 contests, averaging 15.0 ppg. Being counted on down the stretch, she's playing 39 minutes during those 3 games and has knocked down 10 3-pointers.

POST PLAY
Stoner has stepped up her play over the past 6 games, averaging 12.8 points and 5.5 rebounds as IUP has gone 5-1. In addition to her 2nd double-double of the season against Cal in 27 minutes, she scored a career-high 22 points against Gannon and has shot 82.6 pct. (19-23) from the free throw line.

HITTING THE “3”
The Crimson Hawks are one of the best three-point shooting teams in the PSAC, converting at a 34.0 pct (135-397) clip through 24 games. With 5.6 made per game, they're on pace to threaten the school's all-time mark 3's in a season of 184 in 2004-05. 

“D” UP
With just 4 games left before the PSAC tournament, the Crimson Hawks continue to play tough defense, allowing just 54.7 points over their past 6 contests. Forcing 21.7 turnovers
during that span, IUP has also allowed opponents to shoot just 36.2 percent from the field.

THE HEAD COACH
Jeff Dow (Oregon, '88) is in his fifth season as the head coach at IUP, leading the Crimson Hawks to a pair of NCAA tournaments (2009, 2012) and a PSAC championship during a 26-6 debut season in 2008-09. Last Wednesday Dow eclipsed 100 wins in his IUP head coaching career (103-37) and has an overall record of 215-102.