INDIANA, Pa. – A 14-0 fourth quarter run by the Crimson Hawks helped fend off an upset attempt by visiting Pitt-Johnstown as 12th-ranked IUP women's basketball picked up a 57-47 victory Thursday night at the Kovalchick Complex.
 
The game-deciding run began with back-to-back layups by Halle Denman (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) and continued as Carolyn Appleby (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) scored seven straight points. Megan Smith (Blain, Pa./West Perry) finished things off with a 3-pointer to give the Crimson Hawks a 10-point lead with under a minute to play.  
 
IUP became the first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) team to 20 victories with the win, improving to 20-2 overall and 15-2 in the league. The Crimson Hawks remain tied with Edinboro atop the PSAC Western Division standings with those 15 wins.
 
This marks IUP's fourth straight 20-win season under head coach Tom McConnell, and 11th since the 1998-99 season.
 
It's also tied for the quickest to 20 victories for the program, tying the 20-2 records to start the 2014-15 and 2007-08 seasons.
 
The Crimson Hawks bookended low-scoring second and third quarters with 19 points in each the first and fourth.
 
They forced Pitt-Johnstown (9-14, 6-12 PSAC) into 24 turnovers, with Brittany Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East) swiping a game-high four steals. Robinson also blocked two shots and led the Crimson Hawks with 10 rebounds.
 
Appleby scored 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting and Smith scored 13, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. Lauren Wolosik (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic) added 12 points and five assists.
 
Up next
Riding a three-game win streak, the Crimson Hawks hit the road for pair next week as they head to Gannon (13-10, 10-7 PSAC) on Monday and Clarion (7-16, 2-15 PSAC) on Wednesday. Tipoff for both games is 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.