SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Senior guard Audrey Stapleton scored a game-high 16 points off the bench to lead the 13th-ranked Crimson Hawks to a 67-53 win at Slippery Rock Wednesday night.
 
Stapleton finished 5-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the foul line, tying her season-high scoring output against her former team. IUP improved to 18-2 overall and 13-2 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play. That puts the Crimson Hawks in a three-way tie with California and Edinboro for first place in the Western Division.
 
The Crimson Hawks started slowly as Slippery Rock grabbed a 16-7 lead in the opening quarter. IUP bounced back, scoring seven straight points before using a 13-0 run in the second quarter to take a 32-22 lead with 2:28 to play in the half. Five different players scored during that run, as a more balanced offensive effort helped IUP outscore SRU 24-9 in the second quarter.
 
IUP has owned The Rock in the second quarter of each meeting this year. The Crimson Hawks outscored SRU 24-5 in these team's first game in Indiana on Jan. 8. They went on to win 76-50.
 
The Crimson Hawks extended their lead to 16 points late in the third quarter and then to 22 early in the fourth after a 16-3 run keyed by Stapleton. She scored 10 of her 16 points in the second half.
 
Slippery Rock made a late run, but IUP's big lead was too much.
 
The Crimson Hawks showed balance offensively with four players in double-figures and eight getting in the scoring column. Megan Smith and Carolyn Appleby each scored 11 points and Maura D'Anna came off the bench for 10.
 
IUP also won the turnover battle, forcing Slippery Rock into 15 turnovers while giving it up just nine times. Playmakers Appleby and Lauren Wolosik combined for nine assists and just one turnover on the night.
 
The IUP defense limited Slippery Rock to just 33.3 percent shooting, including an 8-for-26 effort in the second half.
 
The Crimson Hawks have bounced back from both losses this season with victories after falling at Mercyhurst on Saturday.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks face another tough divisional opponent this weekend as they welcome Gannon (13-8, 10-5 PSAC) into the Kovalchick Complex. Tipoff on Saturday is set for 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.