GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP Crimson Hawks (9-2, 7-0 PSAC)
at Slippery Rock "The Rock" (7-6, 4-3 PSAC)
Friday, January 6, 2017 | 5:00 p.m.
Slippery Rock, Pa. | Morrow Field House

Full Game Notes (PDF)
Live Stats: SidearmStats.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats
Watch: RockAthletics.com | Rock Athletics All-Access
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 take their nine-game win streak on the road as they head to Slippery Rock on Friday night. Tipoff at the Morrow Field House is set for 5 p.m. This will be IUP's first road game since November 20, with seven of its nine straight wins coming at the Kovalchick Complex. The Crimson Hawks enter this weekend in a three-way tie for first place in the PSAC West with a 7-0 conference record. Slippery Rock is 7-6 overall and 4-3 in the conference, and is coming off a 79-54 loss at Mercyhurst on Tuesday. 

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
• The Crimson Hawks' nine-game win streak is their longest under HC Tom McConnell since winning 13 straight games during the 2014-15 season
• The Crimson Hawks are 2-2 away from home this year, with both of those losses coming in the season-opening tournament at Shippensburg; IUP's two road wins came at PSAC foes Lock Haven and Bloomsburg
• Whereas IUP has played nearly all of its games at home this season, Slippery Rock is used to playing its games on the road; The Rock enters this weekend with a 2-1 home record, with wins over Cheyney and Millersville
• McConnell is 6-0 against Slippery Rock in his three previous seasons at the helm of the Crimson Hawks, including wins of 81-70 (home) and 90-75 (road) last season
• IUP is averaging 73.9 points during its nine-game win streak, while allowing just 49.3 per game
• IUP leads the PSAC and ranks third in Division II by allowing just 50.6 points per game; The Crimson Hawks have given up 60 points one time this season (Kutztown, 67) 

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 15-3 IN JANUARY SINCE 2015
With Tuesday's win over Pitt-Johnstown, the Crimson Hawks are now 15-3 in the month of January 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.

IUP OUTSCORING OPPONENTS BY NEARLY 25 POINTS DURING NINE-GAME WIN STREAK
The Crimson Hawks are averaging 73.9 points during their current nine-game win streak, nearly 25 points better than their opponents (49.3). IUP has had six blowout wins during that span, including two victories of 39 points (Bowie State, Pitt-Johnstown), one by 35 points (Ohio Valley), 34 points (Lock Haven), and two by 23 points (Mansfield and Gannon). During the run, IUP is forcing opponents to shoot 31.5 percent from the floor.

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 (50.6), opponents' field goal percentage (32.4), and blocked shots per game (6.09). Those also rank near the top nationally, with scoring defense third, defensive field goal percentage fourth, and blocked shots fifth.

LAUREN WOLOSIK HAS BEEN VALUABLE ON BOTH ENDS OF THE COURT
R-So. G Lauren Wolosik (Pittsburgh, Pa. /North Catholic) has been a valuable constant for the Crimson Hawks this year, averaging 10.8 points and 3.6 rebounds, while leading the team with 41 assists. She's scored in double-figures in eight of her last nine games, including a career-high 18 points on Tuesday against UPJ. She also had six rebounds and four steals.

HALLE DENMAN CONTRIBUTES IN SEVERAL WAYS; 2ND IN PSAC WITH 2.6 STEALS PER GAME
Jr G Halle Denman (Beaver Falls, Pa. /Blackhawk) is averaging 3.7 points per game, but proves her worth in other ways for the Crimson Hawks. The lockdown defender is second in the PSAC with 2.6 steals per game, including a career-high seven against Gannon. Denman has two or more steals in seven of 11 games, and is averaging 4.8 over her past four contests.

CAROLYN APPLEBY HAS TURNED INTO THE TOP SCORING THREAT FOR THE CRIMSON HAWKS
So. G Carolyn Appleby (Greensburg, Pa. /Greensburg Central Catholic) has stepped into a full-time role this and leads the team in scoring with 14.7 points per game. The team's top outside shooter with 44.6 field goal and 37.3 three point field goal percentages, she's reached double figures eight times, including three 20-point outings. 

BRITTANY ROBINSON PROVIDES POST PRESENCE, RANKS 2ND IN PSAC IN BLOCKED SHOTS
So. F Brittany Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) is second in the PSAC with 1.7 blocks per game, totaling 19 in 11 contests. Her seven blocks against Shippensburg are the fourth most in school history.

MCCONNELL, CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 43-6 AT HOME
In four years under HC Tom McConnell, the Crimson Hawks boast a 43-6 record (.878) in home games, including 7-0 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.