GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP Crimson Hawks (7-2, 5-0 PSAC)
vs. Gannon Lady Knights (3-8, 3-2 PSAC)
Friday, December 30, 2016 | 5:30 p.m.
Indiana, Pa. | Kovalchick Complex

Full Game Notes (PDF)
Live Stats: SidearmStats.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Listen: Smartphone | U92 Sports App
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUP_WBB

THE GAME AT A GLANCE
Riding a seven-game win streak, the Crimson Hawks open up PSAC West play on Friday evening when they host Gannon at the Kovalchick Complex. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. IUP improved to 7-2 overall with an 81-46 blowout win over visiting Ohio Valley on December 19. Gannon is having a rough first half of its 2016-17 season, coming in with a 3-8 record, but are 3-2 in the PSAC with back-to-back home wins over East Stroudsburg and Bloomsburg.

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.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• This is the sixth of seven straight home games for the Crimson Hawks; They are 5-0 this year at home and 41-6 in four seasons under HC Tom McConnell, while Gannon is 1-4 away from home this season
• A victory on Friday would be the eighth straight for IUP, the second longest in the McConnell era behind the 13 consecutive wins during the 2014-15 season
• McConnell is 3-3 against Gannon in his three previous seasons at the helm of the Crimson Hawks, going 2-1 against the Lady Knights last year
• IUP is averaging 73.7 points during its seven-game win streak after scoring just 56.5 in its opening two losses
• IUP leads the PSAC and ranks 6th in Division II by holding opponents to 52.2 points per game this season; IUP has given up 60 points just once (Kutztown, 67) and is allowing just 22.1 points in the second half of games
• IUP leads the PSAC and ranks 6th in Division II with 5.78 blocked shots per game
• Gannon is one of the worst scoring teams in DII at 57.6 points per game

MCCONNELL, CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 41-6 AT HOME
In four years under HC Tom McConnell, the Crimson Hawks boast a 41-6 record (.872) in home games, including 5-0 this season. Each of those six losses came to PSAC teams, including once to No. 2 ranked Gannon (73-64) during the 2013-14 season.

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 17-2 IN DECEMBER SINCE 2013
With the Gannon matchup the last game left in the month, the Crimson Hawks are looking for their second 5-0 December record in the past four seasons. Since McConnell started in 2013, IUP is 17-2 (.894) and is outscoring opponents by an average of 14.2 points in December contests.

IUP OUTSCORING OPPONENTS BY NEARLY 23 POINTS DURING SEVEN-GAME WIN STREAK
The Crimson Hawks are averaging 73.7 points during their current seven-game win streak, nearly 23 points better than their opponents (51.0). IUP has had blowout wins of 34 points (Lock Haven, 80-46), 39 points (Bowie State, 82-43), 23 points (Mansfield, 61-38), and 35 points (Ohio Valley, 81-46) during the run, and is forcing opponents to shoot just 31.0 percent from the field with 129 turnovers (18.4/game). 

THE IUP DEFENSE AGAIN ONE OF THE BEST IN THE PSAC, DIVISION II IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES
The Crimson Hawks' defense has been a force early this year, as IUP leads the PSAC in points allowed (52.2), opponents' field goal percentage (32.2), and blocked shots per game (5.78). Those also rank near the top nationally, with scoring defense and blocked shots both 6th, and defensive field goal percentage 4th. 

MEGAN SMITH AGAIN THE MOST VERSATILE ON THE FLOOR FOR THE CRIMSON HAWKS
Jr. G/F Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry) is having another all-around season, chipping in on both ends of the court while leading the Crimson Hawks with 15.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. She's also second on the squad with 12 blocks and ranks fifth in the conference with a 46.1 field goal percentage.

CAROLYN APPLEBY TURNING INTO SCORING THREAT FOR THE CRIMSON HAWKS
So. G Carolyn Appleby (Greensburg, Pa. /Greensburg Central Catholic) has stepped into a full-time role this year and is second on the team with 14.8 points per game. She had a recent streak of double-figure scoring in six straight, with 20-point outings on three occasions. 

LAUREN WOLOSIK HAS BEEN VALUABLE IN HER RETURN TO THE COURT
After missing all but four games last year due to injury, R-So. G Lauren Wolosik (Pittsburgh, Pa. /North Catholic) has return to start in all nine games this season for IUP. She's nearly scoring in double-figures with 9.9 points per game and leads the Crimson Hawks with 34 assists on the year. During IUP's seven-game win streak, Wolosik is averaging 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. 

BRITTANY ROBINSON LEADS THE PSAC, RANKS 32nd IN DIVISION II IN BLOCKS PER GAME
So. F Brittany Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) is the top shot blocker in the conference, averaging 2.00 swats per game for a total of 18 this season. She's had at least one block in seven of her nine games, including a career-high seven against Shippensburg, which is tied for the sixth highest total of any player in Division II this season. 

FOLLOW
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP Women's Basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.