GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP Crimson Hawks (1-0, 0-0 PSAC)
vs. Mercyhurst Lakers (0-0, 0-0 PSAC)
Wednesday, November 18, 2015 | 11:00 a.m.
Kovalchick Complex | Indiana, Pa.

Full Game Notes (PDF)
Live Stats: IUPathletics.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUP_WBB

THE GAME AT A GLANCE
The Crimson Hawks host Mercyhurst in their 2015-16 home opener on Wednesday. Special tipoff time is set for 11 a.m., as IUP will host it's second Education Day with local elementary schools invited to the game. IUP opened the new year with a 75-64 victory at Bowie State on Saturday while the Lakers lost to West Liberty (78-64) and Notre Dame College (74-67) in their home tipoff tournament over the weekend. 

The game will be broadcast on WQMU 92.5 FM with the voice of IUP Athletics, Jack Benedict, calling the action. You can also listen on u92radio.com and on the u92radio app on your smartphone. 

IUP HAS WON EIGHT STRAIGHT HOME OPENERS
IUP has an eight-game home opener win streak, dating back to the 2007-08 season. The last two home openers under HC Tom McConnell, the Crimson Hawks have defeated Ohio Valley 83-43 (2014) and Bluefield State 56-45 (2013). 

TOM McCONNELL'S 43 WINS TIED FOR BEST TWO-YEAR START AT IUP
McConnell had a 43-14 record in his first two seasons on the bench for the Crimson Hawks, highlighted by last year's 25-4 record. The 43 wins over his first two years is tied for the most of an coach in program history, joining Jeff Dow (2008-10) and Cindy Martin (2005-07). McConnell's .753 winning percentage in his first two years is better than both Martin (.705) and Dow (.729). 

LESLIE STAPLETON INCHING CLOSER TO 1,000-POINT MILESTONE
With 17 points in the season opener, R-Sr. G Leslie Stapleton (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) increased her career total to 842 points. She's looking to become the 21st player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone, including the third in the past two seasons. Click on PDF above for more information.

PSAC PRESEASON COACHES POLL PICKS CRIMSON HAWKS FOURTH IN THE WEST
Coming off of a PSAC West Division title in 2015, the Crimson Hawks were picked to finish fourth in this year's preseason coaches' poll. California (Pa.), last year's national champions, were picked at the top of the poll while Edinboro and Gannon were tied for second. 

STAPLETON NAMED PRESEASON ALL-PSAC WEST
Stapleton was one of six players to receive preseason All-PSAC West recognition when the preseason polls came out in October. Stapleton is IUP's leading returning scorer with 9.9 points per game, hitting double-figures in scoring 14 times in 28 games a season ago. 

STAPLETON IS ONE OF TOP THREE-POINT SHOOTERS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Stapleton has a career .393 three-point percentage, which is currently second all-time in school history to Lacey Claar's (2007-11) .395 percentage. Her 153 career three-pointers is fifth all-time, 62 shy of Claar's record of 215. Stapleton is 16 three-pointers away from tying former teammate Lindsay Stamp (Erie, Pa. /Mercyhurst Prep) (2012-15) for fourth. 

ZHANÉ BROOKS IS IUP's DOUBLE-DOUBLE THREAT
Sr. F Zhané Brooks is the Crimson Hawks' top double-double threat with three for her career. She nearly posted her fourth in IUP's season opener at Bowie State, tallying 14 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes agains the Bulldogs. Brooks has 17 points and 12 rebounds against UPJ in her only start as a junior; 10 points and 10 rebounds against Kutztown as a sophomore; and 10 points and 11 rebounds against Edinboro as a freshman. 

SEVEN PLAYERS RETURN FROM LAST YEAR'S 25-4 TEAM
In addition to Stapleton, six other Crimson Hawks return from last year's 25-4 team. The most experienced is Sr. G Marina Wareham (New Wilmington, Pa. /Kennedy Catholic), who entered the year with 88 career games played and seven starts. Also returning are Brooks (83 games, 11 starts), Sr. F's Alexis Aiken (Pittsburgh, Pa. /North Allegheny) and Amy Graham (Zanesville, Ohio/West Muskingum) and So. G's Halle Denman (Beaver Falls, Pa. /Blackhawk) and Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry). G Courteney Storm (Hollidaysburg, Pa. /Hollidaysburg) will also look for playing time after redshirting as a true freshman last year.

THREE FRESHMEN POST SUCCESSFUL DEBUTS 
The Crimson Hawks had all three of their true freshmen see playing time in IUP's season opener at Bowie State, as G Carolyn Appleby (Greensburg, Pa. /Greensburg Central Catholic), and F's Kendall Hunter (Burke, Va. /Paul VI Catholic) and Brittany Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) combined for 30 minutes off the bench. Clickon PDF above for more information.