GameDay Central
IUP Crimson Hawks (15-7, 6-6 PSAC West)
vs. No. 3 Gannon Golden Knights (22-2, 11-2 PSAC West)
Saturday, February 15, 2014 | 5:30 p.m.
Kovalchick Complex | Indiana, PA
Complete Game Notes (.pdf)
Watch: IUP-TV | NMTVSports.com
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | U92radio.com
Live Stats: IUPAthletics.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats
Tickets: Comcast TIX | comcasttix.com
PSAC/National Coverage
PSAC Statistics | PSAC Week 11 Notes | WBCA Top 25
Other Links
IUP Schedule | IUP Roster | Gannon Schedule | Gannon Roster
AT A GLANCE
After losing their first game in three weeks, the Crimson Hawks return home to host third-ranked Gannon on Saturday night at the KCAC. IUP is coming off a 6-point loss at California (PA), after a second half comeback fell short in the final minutes. The Golden Knights are coming off their second loss of the season, falling again to PSAC West-leading Edinboro 69-57. Gannon is sitting at 2nd in the division with an 11-2 record while the Crimson Hawks are 4th with a PSAC West mark of 6-6.
THE SERIES
IUP narrowly leads the all-time series with the Golden Knights with a record of 15-14. Gannon has won each of the last four meetings, including three wins last year and a 78-69 win in Erie earlier this season. The Crimson Hawks got the best of Gannon during the 2011-12 season, taking two of three, including the regular season finale and in the opening round of the PSAC tournament.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
The Crimson Hawks have spread the scoring around since the injury to Jr. G
Lindsay Stamp (Erie, Pa. /Mercyhurst Prep) on Jan. 18. In those six games, five different players are averaging at least 8.5 ppg while four are scoring in double-figures, including Jr. G
Leslie Stapleton (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) (15.7 ppg), Sr. G
Talen Watson (Odenton, MD/Arundel) (13.8), Jr. G
Marita Mathe (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) (10.7) and Jr. F
Ashley Stoner (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Thomas Jefferson) (10.0). In the 16 games prior, only Stoner averaged double-figures to go along with Stamp's 18.7 ppg.
DOUBLING UP
Watson is IUP's second leading scorer in the past six games but is in the midst of an even better four-game stretch. After going for a season-high 20 points against Cal, she is averaging 16.5 ppg, also dropping 19 against Pitt-Johnstown on Jan. 29. Watson also has a team-high 12 assists in the last four games and is shooting 41.1 pct from the field.
SUCCESS AT THE LINE
Watson is having a career year from the free throw line, shooting a sizling 89.9 pct (44-49) for the season. She went 4-5 against Cal, missing her first attempt since the season's first meeting against the Vulcans on Jan. 18, a streak of 21 straight conversions.
RAINING THREES
IUP's 39.5 3FG% is 3rd in all of Division II (1st, Saginaw Valley, 40.8 pct). Five regular players are shooting at least 40.0 pct from long-range while three of those are qualified and individually rank in the top six of the PSAC. The Crimson Hawks are currently on pace to break program records in 3FG% (35.8 - 2009-10) and 3FGM (184 - 2004-05).
SCOUTING GANNON
Gannon, the 3rd-ranked team in Division II, features a dynamic offense and a strong defense. Both losses for the Golden Knights have been to Edinboro, losing by a combined 15 points, although Gannon is ranked in the top 10 in Division II in scoring margin for the year. Sr. F Nettie Blake averages 15.1 ppg in just 20.9 mpg and Jr. G Brittany Batts leads the NCAA with a 48.9 3FG%. Sr. G Kelley Sundberg (5.0 apg) is one of the best point guards in the country and Sr. F Jen Papich is a career 1,400-point scorer.
