INDIANA, Pa. - Sophomore point guard Maria Cerro scored 23 points as the Crimson Hawks overcame a slew of turnovers and personal fouls to post a 63-53 win over the University of the District of Columbia Sunday afternoon at the Kovalchick Complex.

This was Cerro's second straight game with a career-high as her 23 points came on 7-12 field goals with a pair of 3-pointers, also going 7-9 from the foul line. It was IUP's first 20-point scorer of the season.

The Crimson Hawks improved to 4-0 with the victory while UDC fell to 3-2. 

The IUP defense forced the Firebirds to shoot just 22.6 percent from the floor, including 3-17 from 3-point range. Five Crimson Hawks combined for a season-high nine blocks, including three by senior guard Courtney Alexander. 

IUP's 25 personal fouls, however, resulted in 32 free throw attempts as UDC scored 22 of its 53 points at the foul line. The Hawks' 21 turnovers also led to 15 UDC points. 

IUP scored the first seven points of the game and used a 13-1 second quarter run to take a 29-14 lead into halftime. The Hawks limited UDC to just five second quarter points and 1-12 from the field. 

The Firebirds got back into the game in the second half, getting eight points from the line in the third and nine more in the fourth. UDC cut a 17-point third quarter deficit to just six points midway through the fourth, using a 9-0 run to make it 47-41 with 5:26 to play. 

IUP responded with a 10-2 run, with layup-and-ones from Cerro and senior guard Justina Mascaro, to take a comfortable 57-43 lead with 2:41 left. 

Mascaro scored six of her 10 points in the fourth quarter and finished with six rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Senior forward Maura D'Anna had eight points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals and freshman forward Gina Adams grabbed eight boards.

Notes
The Crimson Hawks are ranked ninth in the D2SIDA Media Top 25, announced Tuesday ... IUP is receiving votes in the WBCA Coaches Top 25 preseason poll ... The 53 points by UDC is the most by an IUP opponent this season.

Up next
The Crimson Hawks host Salem on Wednesday. Tipoff at the Kovalchick Complex is 3 p.m.

Follow
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