Box Score

ERIE, PA – The Crimson Hawks scored 42 second half points but were also called for 19 fouls as their chance for an upset fell short in IUP's 78-69 loss to second-ranked Gannon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West women's basketball action on Wednesday night.

The loss was the Crimson Hawks' third in a row as they fall to 11-4 overall and 2-3 in the PSAC West. Gannon improves to 17-0 on the season and 6-0 in the division.

Ashley Stoner (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Thomas Jefferson), Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center) and Zhane Brooks (Erie, Pa. /Villa Maria) all fouled out, despite playing 29, 21 and 15 minutes, respectively. Lindsay Stamp (Erie, Pa. /Mercyhurst Prep) collected four fouls in a game that featured a total of 48 personal fouls, including 27 by IUP.

Marita Mathe (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) led the Crimson Hawks with 13 points in her first start since returning from injury. Stoner scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds while Leslie Stapleton (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) came off the bench to drop 11 points, going 3-of-6 from three-point range.

The game was tied at 27-27 at the break, but the Golden Knights took an early second half lead while a 10-2 run gave them a 51-39 advantage with 10:44 remaining.

The Crimson Hawks did not bow out, rallying several times over the last 10 minutes to cut their deficit to five and four points at different times down the stretch. However, each time IUP got close, the Golden Knights responded by forcing key turnovers defensively and converting them into buckets on the offensive end.

IUP's last gasp came with 1:43 left when Talen Watson (Odenton, MD/Arundel) knocked down a pair of free throws following a traditional three-point play by Melanie Todd (Springfield, VA/West Springfield), as the Crimson Hawks narrowed the gap to 71-67. However, Nettie Blake converted a layup and free throw on the other end and Gannon hit three of its next four free throws to take a 10-point lead with 18 seconds remaining.

The Crimson Hawks went 12-of-26 from the field in the second half, including 6-of-9 from three-point range, and also went 12-of-17 from the foul line. Stapleton scored all 11 points in the second half, draining 3-of-3 from three-point range and 2-of-2 from the foul line. Gannon, however, scored 51 points on 15-of-25 from the field and 17-of-23 from the foul line to keep the Crimson Hawks at bay.

IUP hits the court again on Saturday as the Crimson Hawks host rival California (PA) at the Kovalchick Complex. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.