GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP Crimson Hawks (12-3, 10-1 PSAC)
vs. #8/10 California Vulcans (16-1, 10-1 PSAC)
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 | 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
The Crimson Hawks look to rebound from a tough loss this weekend as they host eighth-ranked California in a rematch of last year's PSAC Championship on Wednesday night at the Kovalchick Complex. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. IUP welcomes another top opponent after Saturday's 75-65 home loss to Edinboro, which leads the PSAC West with an 11-0 league record. The Vulcans, who's only loss of the season is to those Fighting Scots, is 16-1 on the season and is part of a three-way tie for second place in the division with a 10-1 conference mark. 

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
• Saturday's loss ended the Crimson Hawks' 12-game winning streak; The streak was the second longest under HC Tom McConnell in his four years at the helm, as IUP won 13 straight during the 2014-15 season
• Cal is the only team on this year's schedule that McConnell has a losing record to, going 1-6 against the Vulcans in his previous three seasons
• The loss was also IUP's first home defeat since fallign to West Chester (92-79) back on Nov. 22, 2015; The Crimson Hawks are 7-1 in the KCAC this season and are outscoring opponents by an average of 72.8 to 51.9
• The Vulcans are 8-1 on the road this year, with that loss a 71-54 defeat at Edinboro
• Cal is one of the top all-around teams in the nation, ranking in the top 10 in Division II in several categories, including scoring (84.4, sixth), scoring margin (+25.3, fifth), assists (18.59, fourth), and steals (15.12, fifth)
• The Crimson Hawks boast one of the top defenses in the country, ranking seventh with 53.7 points allowed per game, eighth with 5.67 blocks, and 18th by forcing opponents to shoot just 34.5 percent from the field

MCCONNELL, CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 43-7 AT HOME
In four years under HC Tom McConnell, the Crimson Hawks boast a 43-7 record (.860) in home games, including 7-1 this season. Each of those seven losses came to PSAC teams, including once to No. 2 ranked Gannon (73-64) during the 2013-14 season.

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 18-4 IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY SINCE 2015
After Saturday's loss to Edinboro, the Crimson Hawks are now 18-4 (.818) in the month of Janurary under McConnell since 2015. IUP has posted records of 6-2 (2015-16) and 8-1 (2014-15) in January over the last two seasons, and have a 4-1 record this month. 

IUP IS 9-4 IN GAMES FOLLOWING A LOSS SINCE THE 2014-15 SEASON
The Crimson Hawks have been able to rebound successfully following losses over the past three years, as they have a record of 9-4 since the 2014-15 season. Twice those back-to-back losses have come in the postseason, and the last time IUP lost two straight games was to straight this season, promptly following that with 12 straight wins.

THE IUP DEFENSE AGAIN ONE OF THE BEST IN THE PSAC, DIVISION II IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES
The Crimson Hawks' defense has been a force this year, as IUP leads the PSAC in points allowed (53.7), opponents' field goal percentage (34.5), and blocked shots per game (5.67). Those also rank near the top nationally, with scoring defense seventh, blocked shots eighth, and defensive field goal percentage 18th.

MEGAN SMITH HAS BEEN HEATING UP OVER THE LAST FOUR GAMES
IUP's most consistent offensive threat this season, Jr. F Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry) has turned it up over the last four games, averaging 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 56.6 percent (30-53) from the field. She set a career-high with 31 points at Slippery Rock on Jan. 6, and tallied her first double-double of the season with 23 points and 11 rebounds against Edinboro.
 
LAUREN WOLOSIK IS THE CRIMSON HAWKS' BIGGEST SHOOTING THREAT
R-So. G Lauren Wolosik (Pittsburgh, Pa. /North Catholic) is asserting herself as the Crimson Hawks best shooter, as she's making 46.2 percent from three-point range and 87.9 percent from the foul line. She has made a three-pointer in all 15 games this year, her 30 treys are a team-high and her 2.0 three-pointers per game is 10th in the PSAC. 

A TOP SHOT BLOCKER, BRITTANY ROBINSON ALSO PROVIDES OFFENSIVE FIRE POWER
So. F Brittany Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) ranks second in the PSAC and is tied for 37th in Division II with 1.9 blocked shots per game. Posting at least one block in 11 of 15 games, she has top performances of seven (vs. Shippensburg) and six (at Millersville) swats on the year. Robinson has added proven scoring ability to her game, hitting double-figures three times in the last five games, averaging 13.4 points while shooting 59.1 percent (26-44) during that span. 

HALLE DENMAN RANKS 3RD IN THE PSAC, 25TH IN DIVISION II IN STEALS PER GAME
Jr. G Halle Denman (Beaver Falls, Pa. /Blackhawk) is having a standout defensive season in her first year as a starter, as she's third in the PSAC with 2.8 steals per game. Denman has at least one steal in each of the last 14 games, swiping a career-high seven against Gannon. She is on pace for more than 70 steals over the course of a 26-game regular season, which would be the most since Jahzinga Tracey had 99 in 2008-09.