CLARION, Pa. – Sophomore guard
Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry) led four Crimson Hawks in double-figures as IUP used a huge first half to defeat Clarion, 79-60, Wednesday night.
With the win, IUP moves to 17-5 overall and stays in second place with a14-5 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division. Clarion drops to 8-17 and 8-11 in the PSAC.
Smith tied her career-high of 21 points, while also adding eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks. In two games against Clarion this year, Smith is averaging 18.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.0 blocks, while shooting 14-of-27 (51.9 percent) from the field.
Smith was joined in the scoring column by senior forward Zhané Brooks, who scored 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds, senior guard
Leslie Stapleton (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana)'s 15 points and five assists and senior guard
Marina Wareham (New Wilmington, Pa. /Kennedy Catholic)'s 12 points and four steals. Wareham also added three assists
The Crimson Hawks swarmed Clarion from the opening whistle, scoring the game's first 10 points and holding them without a field goal for the first five minutes of play. IUP led 20-9 going into the second quarter and didn't take their foot off the pedal, heading into the locker room up, 45-27.
Smith led IUP in the second half, scoring 14 of her points after intermission in just 15 minutes of court time as head coach
Tom McConnell emptied his bench late in the game. The Crimson Hawks shot 50.8 percent from the field and outrebounded Clarion by a 36-to-28 margin.
IUP trails California (Pa.) by a game in the loss column in IUP's attempt to win back-to-back West Division titles for the first time since 2007-08. California (Pa.) has four games remaining, while IUP has just three.
The Crimson Hawks return to action Saturday in a PSAC West matchup with Slippery Rock. Action from Morrow Field House tips off at 5 p.m.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.
