INDIANA, Pa. – Junior guard
Justina Mascaro scored 18 points in the second half to lead the 11th-ranked IUP women's basketball team to a come-from-behind win over visiting Lock Haven Friday night at the Kovalchick Complex.
Mascaro went 6-of-12 from the field in the final 20 minutes as the Crimson Hawks overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to outscore LHU 46-22 in the second half.
She finished with a game-high 22 points and just missed her second straight double-double with nine boards.
It was a battle of division-leaders, as both teams entered the weekend atop the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern and Western Divisions. The Crimson Hawks improved to 11-1 overall and remain the only PSAC team with an undefeated league record at 6-0. Lock Haven dropped to 7-4 overall and 4-2 in PSAC play.
After shooting just 29 percent from the field to trail 29-18 at the break, the Crimson Hawks came back to shoot 15-of-31 in the second half, including 8-of-15 in the fourth quarter. IUP outscored the Bald Eagles 26-8 in the final 10 minutes, limiting LHU to just 1-of-15 shooting.
IUP saw its biggest deficit of the night at 13 points early in the third quarter after its seventh turnover of the night. Mascaro jumpstarted the second half offense with back-to-back buckets while a steal-and-layup by senior forward
Lexi Griggs cut the LHU lead to 31-25 a few minutes later.
The Bald Eagles did get their lead back to 12 and seemed to take control of the game but the Crimson Hawks came clawing back, going on an 11-4 run to cut their deficit to five heading to the fourth quarter.
IUP took its first lead of the game at 47-46 with 4:32 left on a driving layup by Mascaro. The bucket was the early part of a huge 19-2 run over a 4:17 span as the Crimson Hawks completely took control of the game down the stretch. IUP made 6-of-7 field goals and went 6-of-8 from the foul line during the run.
Who stood out
This was Mascaro's third straight 20-point game and fourth of the season. The reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Week is averaging 25.6 points and 8.3 rebounds in her last three outings.
Mascaro led three Hawks in double-figures. Senior guard
Natalie Myers scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and grabbed seven rebounds. Griggs added 14 points, three blocks and three steals in the full 40 minutes.
Notes
The Crimson Hawks entered the game ranked No. 11 in the WBCA Top 25 and No. 22 in the D2SIDA Media Top 25 polls … The win was IUP's ninth straight, the longest of any PSAC team this season … IUP holds a one-game lead over second place Seton Hill and Gannon (5-1) heading into divisional play next week … IUP has held opponents under 60 points nine times this year … IUP has won 14 straight games against PSAC East teams, Coach
Tom McConnell is 43-5 lifetime against teams from the East … The Crimson Hawks improved to 6-1 at home and are 73-8 (.901) at home in the last six year.
Up next
It's a quick turnaround for the Crimson Hawks, who open PSAC West play Monday night at home against Mercyhurst. The Lakers are 3-9 overall but 3-3 in league play.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.
