Box Score

CLARION, PA - Marita Mathe (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) splashed in four three-pointers en route to 17 points as the IUP women's basketball team downed Clarion 67-60 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action Saturday evening.

Mathe was 5-of-13 from the field and 4-of-10 from behind the arc for her 17 points, while Lindsay Stamp (Erie, Pa. /Mercyhurst Prep) tallied a team-high 18 points and four assists. Zhané Brooks chipped in 11 points and hauled in a team-high nine rebounds, and Talen Watson (Odenton, MD/Arundel) fininshed with eight points.

The Crimson Hawks (17-6, 12-5 PSAC) struggled to break away from the Golden Eagles, leading by just six at halftime. A Hannah Heeter layup with 13:28 to play in the second half would pull Clarion to within two, but IUP would respond with a 15-4 run over the next seven minutes to take a 55-42 lead.

The Golden Eagles (11-12, 7-10 PSAC) would make one final push in the game's closing moments, as a Heeter jumper and a free throw trimmed the IUP advantage to just six, but an Ashley Stoner (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Thomas Jefferson) layup and free throws from Mathe and Watson would salt away the win.

Heeter was a monster on the glass for Clarion, grabbing a game-high 20 rebounds to go with 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor. Mariah Gador also finished with 15 points for the Golden Eagles, while Raven Jones and Tania Holmes each tallied 12 points.

IUP shot just 39% from the field as a team, but outrebounded Clarion 41-37 and forced 20 Golden Eagles turnovers. Mathe carried the Crimson Hawks in the first half, notching 12 first-period points.

The Crimson Hawks return home this Wednesday to host rival California. Tipoff with the Vulcans is set for 5:30 p.m.