GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP Crimson Hawks (13-5, 11-3 PSAC)
at Gannon Lady Knights (5-15, 5-9 PSAC)
Saturday, January 28, 2017 | 1:00 p.m.
Erie, Pa. | Hammermill Center

Full Game Notes (PDF)
Live Stats: SidearmStats.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats
Watch: Gannon All-Access | gannonsports.com/watch
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Listen: Smartphone | U92 Sports App
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUP_WBB

THE GAME AT A GLANCE
Coming off a huge road win on Wednesday, the Crimson Hawks head to Erie this weekend to battle Gannon. Tipoff at the Hammermill Center is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday. IUP stopped a three-game slide with a statement 72-51 victory over Seton Hill, moving into a tie for third place in the PSAC West with an 11-3 league record. Gannon has gone just 2-6 since falling to the Crimson Hawks 71-48 at the end of December. The Lady Knights had a recent four-game losing streak and is 5-9 in the conference this year. 

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
• IUP HC Tom McConnell has a 4-3 record against Gannon, with wins in four of his last five games over the Lady Knights; The Crimson Hawks took two of three last year, including a 75-70 home win in the PSAC quarterfinals
• The Crimson Hawks have outscored Gannon 68.6 to 60.4 over their last five meetings, holding the Lady Knights under 53 points three times
• IUP is 6-1 on the road this year, outscoring opponents 71.3 to 56.0; Historically strong playing in the Hammermill Center, Gannon is just 3-7 this season at home with losses in each of its last three home contests
• IUP has a 7-8 record against Gannon in Erie dating back to the 1983-84 season
• The Crimson Hawks boast one of the top defenses in the PSAC, leading the league by giving up just 55.5 points per game; Gannon averages just under 58 points and has scored 60 points just four times in the last nine games
• Soph. G Carolyn Appleby (Greensburg, Pa. /Greensburg Central Catholic) is coming off a career-best 24 points with five three-pointers on Wednesday at Seton Hill; Due to injury, she did not play in IUP's first meeting with Gannon on Dec. 30

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 6-1 IN TRUE ROAD GAMES THIS YEAR
The Crimson Hawks have had success on the road this year, going 6-1 with a scoring margin of +15.2. Their offense has actually performed better on the road than at home, averaging more points (71.3 to 70.4), with better shooting (.447 to .442) and free throw percentages (.756 to .711). IUP's key road win came at Mercyhurst, winning 64-54 back on January 9. Four Crimson Hawks are scoring in double-figures on the road, led by Jr. F Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry) at 15.1 points per game. 

THE IUP DEFENSE AGAIN ONE OF THE BEST IN THE PSAC, DIVISION II IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES
Despite their recent struggles, the Crimson Hawks defense still remains statistically one of the best in the PSAC. IUP leads the league in points allowed (55.5), defensive field goal percentage (.359), and blocks (5.56) - also ranking 11th, 31st, and fourth, respectively, in Division II. 

BRITTANY ROBINSON IS ONE OF THE TOP SHOT BLOCKERS IN ATLANTIC REGION
So. F Brittany Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) is second in the PSAC, third in the Atlantic Region, and 31st in Division II averaging 1.89 blocked shots per game this season. She's posted at least one block in 14 of 18 games, and is coming off of a recent string of four straight games with at least two swats. Robinson has performances of seven blocks (vs. Shippensburg) and six blocks (at Millersville), and is on pace to have one of the top individual seasons in IUP history.

ROBINSON ALSO BECOMING A TOP OFFENSIVE THREAT FOR THE CRIMSON HAWKS
In addition to her shot blocking prowess, Robinson has added an offensive game to her arsenal. Since the turn of the calendar to 2017, she's averaging 11.6 points and shooting 58.7 percent (44-75) in eight games. Robinson has five double-digit scoring games within that span, including a 17-point performance at Millersville. For the year, she's fourth on the team with 9.3 points per game and if she had enough made field goals to quality, would rank fourth in the PSAC with a 53.2 shooting percentage. 

HALLE DENMAN RANKS 3RD IN THE PSAC, 32ND 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 and 32nd in the NCAA with 2.7 steals per game. She's had at least one steal in 17 straight games, including a career-high seven against Gannon and five at Millersville. Denman is on pace for nearly 70 steals over the course of a 26-game regular season, which would be the most since Jahzinga Tracey had 99 in 2008-09.

CAROLYN APPLEBY MADE A STATEMENT IN THE RETURN TO HER HOMETOWN ON WEDNESDAY
Soph. G Carolyn Appleby (Greensburg, Pa. /Greensburg Central Catholic) scored a career-high 24 points on Wednesday night, going 8-17 from the field and 5-8 from three-point range, as she returned to her hometown of Greensburg. Appleby's breakout game was her first 20 point performance since netting 20 on December 4 in the win over Kutztown. For the season, Appleby is second on the team with 13.0 points per game and 29 made three-pointers.