GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP Crimson Hawks (19-5, 17-3 PSAC)
vs. Clarion Golden Eagles (14-12, 11-9 PSAC)
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 | 5:30 p.m.
Indiana, Pa. | Kovalchick Complex
Full Game Notes (PDF)
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THE GAME AT A GLANCE
The Crimson Hawks host Clarion on Wednesday night in their final home game of the regular season. Tipoff at the Kovalchick Complex is set for 5:30 p.m. IUP is looking to lock up a first round bye in the upcoming PSAC tournament, as a win clinches the No. 2 seed in the Western Division. The Crimson Hawks are also looking for a little revenge, as Clarion handed them a 64-59 loss at Tippin Gym back on Jan. 21. Clarion has also clinched a postseason berth, and is battling Seton Hill for the No. 5 seed in the tournament.
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
• January's loss to Clarion was the first for IUP HC
Tom McConnell, who is 6-1 all-time against the Golden Eagles; In three home games in the series, McConnell and IUP has an average scoring margin of +13.0
• A win on Wednesday would give IUP three consecutive 20-win seasons under McConnell and 10th overall since the 1998-99 season
• The Crimson Hawks are currently on a seven-game win streak, their second longest of the season (W12)
• In IUP's 64-59 loss at Clarion this season, R-Soph. G
Lauren Wolosik (Pittsburgh, Pa. /North Catholic) scored 20 points, hitting 4-8 three-pointers
• The Crimson Hawks are averaging 78.1 points during their seven-game win streak; They averaged 68.1 points in their previous 17 games
• IUP is 10-2 at home this year, outscoring opponents by nearly 16 points per game; The Crimson Hawks only two home losses came to Edinboro and No. 6 California
• Clarion is 6-6 away from Tippin this year, but have not won a road game since Jan. 14 at Gannon (75-71)
MCCONNELL, CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 46-8 AT HOME
In four years under HC
Tom McConnell, the Crimson Hawks boast a 46-8 record (.852) in home games, including a 10-2 this season.
CRIMSON HAWKS NOW WINNING WITH OFFENSE
IUP has turned up its offensive production during its seven-game win streak, averaging 78.1 points during that span. That's compared to 68.1 in IUP's first 17 games of the season. The Crimson Hawks are outscoring opponents by 14.4 points during their win streak, going for at least 72 points six times, including a season-high 105 against Slippery Rock. Soph. G
Carolyn Appleby (Greensburg, Pa. /Greensburg Central Catholic) is averaging a team-best 17.7 points over the last seven.
CRIMSON HAWKS ONE OF TOP THREE-POINT SHOOTING TEAMS IN PSAC, DIVISION II
IUP leads the PSAC and ranks 12th in Division II with a 37.7 three-point field goal percentage. The Crimson Hawks have drained 50 treys with a 44.6 percentage during their seven-game win streak, including a 14-21 performance against Slippery Rock. R-Soph. G
Lauren Wolosik (Pittsburgh, Pa. /North Catholic) is the team-leader with 48 threes made and a 44.4 three-point percentage.
IUP RANKS FOURTH IN DIVISION II WITH 5.79 BLOCKS PER GAME
Led by So. F
Brittany Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa. /Central Dauphin East), the Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC and rank fourth in the country with 5.79 blocked shots per game. Robinson is putting together one of the best blocking seasons in program history with 49 through 24 games, while Jr. F
Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry) has added 28. Four more players have at least 11 this year for a team that has performances of 14 blocks vs. Shippensburg (Dec. 3) and 10 blocks vs. UPJ (Jan. 3).
BRITTANY ROBINSON IS ONE OF THE TOP SHOT BLOCKERS IN ATLANTIC REGION
Robinson leads the the PSAC, ranks second in the Atlantic Region, and 35th in Division II averaging 2.04 blocked shots per game. She's posted at least one block in 20 of 24 games, and is currently on a streak of 11 straight games with a swat. 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.
NCAA ATLANTIC REGION RANKINGS
The season's first NCAA Division II Regional Rankings were released on Wednesday, with the Crimson Hawks sitting at No. 4. These rankings determine the 64 teams selected to the NCAA tournament, with the top eight in each region earning berths. The next regional rankings will be released in the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 22.
