Box Score
EDINBORO, PA – Three Crimson Hawks scored in double-figures, led by 16 from
Leslie Stapleton (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana), but IUP could not upset Edinboro in a 66-59 loss to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West leaders on Wednesday night.
The loss was the fifth straight for the Crimson Hawks as they fall to 11-6 overall and 2-5 in divisional play. Edinboro improves to 13-3 overall and a perfect 7-0 in the PSAC West.
Stapleton finished 5-of-14 from the field, but 4-of-9 from three-point range in 34 minutes.
Talen Watson (Odenton, MD/Arundel) scored 13 points for IUP, adding five assists while
Marita Mathe (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) added 11 points, making a trio of three-pointers.
IUP turned the ball over just nine times and made 10-of-12 attempts from the foul line, but shot just 35.0 percent from the field while the Fighting Scots converted 48.1 percent of their shots.
The lead exchanged hands a few times in the game's first five minutes before Edinboro took a 12-8 lead at the 14:57 mark. Two minutes later Stapleton drained her first three of the game to tie the score at 13-13.
The Crimson Hawks took three one-point leads in the coming minutes, including a 21-20 advantage after a three by Mathe at the 7:53 mark. Edinboro would go on a 10-4 run to go on top by five before heading into the break with a 32-28 lead.
The Fighting Scots opened the second half on a 7-0 run in the first 2:31 to take a 39-28 lead. IUP responded by scoring 13 of the game's next 17 points over the next 5:47 to climb within two at 43-41.
Edinboro went back on top by eight and later led by seven at 55-48 with 5:23 remaining. Mathe followed with a pair of free throws and then nailed a three-pointer on IUP's next possession to make it a 55-53 ballgame with 4:19 remaining.
Watson tied the game with a pair of free throws and after each team traded buckets, the Fighting Scots were holding onto a 61-59 lead with 1:50 on the clock. The Crimson Hawks could not convert down the stretch, however, missing five shots from the field and another from the foul line in the seven-point loss.
The Crimson Hawks return home this Saturday as they look to get back in the win column against rival Slippery Rock. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
