JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Senior forward Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry) started the new year off right by scoring a career-high 34 points as the third-ranked IUP women's basketball team defeated Pitt-Johnstown 72-53 Wednesday night.

Smith went 12-of-18 from the field and 6-of-9 from the 3-point line, adding five rebounds, two blocks and two steals during her 35 minutes of play. The last time Smith scored over 30 points was January 6, 2017, almost a year to the date, where she scored 31 points against Slippery Rock.

With the win, IUP remains one of seven undefeated teams in Division II with an 11-0 overall record. The Crimson Hawks also improved to 6-0 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

Two other Crimson Hawks scored in double-figures with junior guard Caroline Appleby posting 16 points, four assists and five steals as redshirt junior Lauren Wolosik (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic) added 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Appleby went 7-of-15 from the field and 2-of-5 from the foul line while Wolosik made 4-of-10 shots from the field and went 3-of-4 from the foul line.

Junior forward Brittany Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East) and senior guard Halle Denman (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) were key players under the basket, each totaling seven rebounds.

The Crimson Hawks led the entire game, scoring 34 points in the paint and going 27-of-60 overall from the field. In the first half, IUP outscored the Mountain Cats 53 percent to 26 percent from the field and 42 percent to zero percent from the 3-point line.

IUP was able to maintain the lead in the second half despite being outscored by UPJ in all areas from the court.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks return to the Kovalchick Complex to face off against the Mercyhurst Lakers Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m.

Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.