GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP Crimson Hawks (15-5, 13-3 PSAC)
vs. Slippery Rock "The Rock" (9-13, 6-10 PSAC)
Saturday, February 4, 2017 | 5:30 p.m.
Indiana, Pa. | Kovalchick Complex

Full Game Notes (PDF)
Live Stats: SidearmStats.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats
Watch: IUP Webcast YouTube | youtube.com
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Listen: Smartphone | U92 Sports App
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUP_WBB

THE GAME AT A GLANCE
With the momentum of a three-game win streak, the Crimson Hawks host Slippery Rock on Saturday night at the Kovalchick Complex. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. IUP is fresh off of a thrilling 73-71 home victory over Mercyhurst on Wednesday, staying just a half-game back of Edinboro for the second spot in the PSAC West standings. Slippery Rock has lost eight of its last 10 games, including the Crimson Hawks' 95-72 victory at Morrow Field House on January 6. IUP enters with a 15-5 (13-3 PSAC) record, while The Rock is 9-13 (6-10).

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 is a perfect 7-0 against Slippery Rock, including the 95-72 road victory earlier this season; Under McConnell, the Crimson Hawks are outscoring SRU 77.7 to 65.6 in the three previous home matchups
• IUP's last home loss to Slippery Rock came on February 23, 2005 (64-59); A streak of 11 straight home wins
• The Crimson Hawks are 8-2 at home this year, outscoring opponents by more than 14 points per game; IUP's only home losses are to Edinboro and No. 6 California in January
• Slippery Rock is 6-7 away from home this year, with just one road win in its last four tries (-13.3 margin)
• The Rock features the PSAC's top scorer in Lexi Carpenter at 19.1 points per game (88.0 FT%); Carpenter was part of IUP's 2013-14 team but did not play due to transfer rules
• The IUP defense leads the PSAC and ranks 13th in Division II by giving up just 56.4 points per game; Over its last four games, SRU is averaging 62.5 points per outing (1-3 record)
• In her last three games against SRU, Jr. F Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry) is averging 25.7 points & 9.0 rebounds with a 64.4 FG%

MCCONNELL, CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 44-8 AT HOME
In four years under HC Tom McConnell, the Crimson Hawks boast a 44-8 record (.846) in home games, including an 8-2 this season. 

THE IUP DEFENSE AGAIN ONE OF THE BEST IN THE PSAC, DIVISION II IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES
A strong defense has again been the key to the Crimson Hawks' season, as they lead the PSAC and rank near the top of the country in several categories. IUP tops the league in points allowed (56.4), opponents' field goal percentage (.365), and blocks per game (5.50), also ranking 13th, 41st, and sixth, respectively, in Division II.  

CAROLYN APPLEBY PICKING IT UP OFFENSIVELY; NAMED PSAC WEST ATHLETE OF THE WEEK ON MONDAY
So. G Carolyn Appleby (Greensburg, Pa. /Greensburg Central Catholic) has picked up her offensive production during IUP's three-game win steak, averaging a team-best 19.3 points and 4.0 assists per outing. Her shooting percentages have also gone up, converting 19-38 from the field (50.0), 7-14 (50.0) from three-point range, and 13-14 (92.9) from the foul line. On the strength of her career-high 24 points last week at Seton Hill, she earned PSAC West Athlete of the Week honors for the first time in her career.

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 36th in Division II averaging 1.89 blocked shots per game this season. She's posted at least one block in 16 of 20 games, and is currently on a streak of seven 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.

MEGAN SMITH HAS HISTORY OF SUCCESS AGAINST SLIPPERY ROCK
Jr. F Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry) has had some of her best collegiate games against Slippery Rock. Since becoming a starter last season, Smith is averaging 25.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game against The Rock, scoring a career-high 31 points back on January 6. She's shooting 64.4 percent (29-45) from the field, going 10-14 from beyond the arc.