ERIE, Pa. – Despite a 21-point effort by junior guard Carolyn Appleby (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic), the sixth-ranked IUP women's basketball team dropped a 66-61 decision to Mercyhurst Saturday afternoon. It was the Crimson Hawks second loss of the season.
 
Both losses have come in the last 10 days for IUP, falling to 17-2 overall and out of first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division with a 12-2 league record.
 
IUP held a 35-34 lead at the half and outshot the Lakers 42 percent to 38 percent. But Mercyhurst (8-12, 6-8 PSAC) was able to pull off the upset on the strength of a double-double from Emilee Norris and an 18-of-25 performance at the foul line.
 
The Crimson Hawks were held in check from 3-point range, converting just 4-of-17 from deep. They also finished 9-of-11 at the foul line.
 
IUP built a nine-point lead at the start of the second quarter, but a 13-2 run by Mercyhurst gave the Lakers a 25-23 lead just four minutes later.
 
Mercyhurst led for most of the third quarter and fourth quarters until Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry) converted a layup with 4:11 to put the Crimson Hawks on top 55-54. The Lakers regained the lead, but IUP tied it twice more at 56-56 and 59-59 on free throws from Appleby.
 
The Lakers answered IUP's last free throw with a 3-pointer, and Appleby cut the game to two with six seconds to go but it wasn't enough as Mercyhurst iced the game in the final moments.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks will square off with another opponent looking for revenge on their home floor, as IUP travels to rival Slippery Rock (10-10, 8-7 PSAC) Wednesday evening.
 
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP Women's Basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.