COLUMBUS, Ohio - Senior guard Courtney Alexander scored a career-high 24 points as the 12th-ranked IUP women's basketball team pulled away in the second half for a 76-61 win at Ohio Dominican Sunday afternoon. 

The victory was the sixth straight for the Crimson Hawks as they wrapped up their non-conference slate with a 6-0 record.

Alexander was one of four Hawks to reach double-figures as IUP shot better than 53 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Panthers 35-to-24. 

How it happened
IUP looked to be in control early, using 3-pointers by Alexander and senior guard Justina Mascaro to grab a 15-6 lead just over six minutes into the ballgame.

Their first half lead reached 10 before Ohio Dominican reeled off a 10-3 run to cut IUP's lead to 22-19 early in the second quarter. The Panthers put together a big second quarter, shooting 10-16 from the field with three 3-pointers to outscore the Hawks 26-19. The game was tied 38-38 at the break.

The Hawks came out of the break by scoring seven straight points, starting with a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Maria Cerro. ODC came back to take a 53-52 lead but IUP finished the third with a 9-2 run as four different Hawks scored buckets. 

The fourth quarter belonged to the Hawks as they clamped down defensively, forcing the Panthers into 3-11 shooting with four turnovers. IUP converted 6-9 field goals in the fourth and shot over 59 percent in the second half to seal the win. 

Who stood out
Alexander shot 9-17 from the floor and drained a season-high five 3-pointers in 39 minutes. It was her fourth career 20-point game, including her first of the season.

Freshman forward Gina Adams tallied her first career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, each season-highs. 

Mascaro scored 15 points and nearly had a double-double herself with nine assists and six rebounds. She shot 6-10 from the field, including 3-5 from 3-point range. 

Cerro added 11 points on 4-5 shooting in 24 minutes.

Notes
IUP entered the game ranked No. 12 in the WBCA Coaches and No. 11 in the D2SIDA Meda Top 25 polls ... IUP has won eight straight regular season non-conference road games dating back to the 2015-16 season ... It's last road regular season non-conference loss came at Chowan, 69-67 on November 24, 2015 ... Alexander's 24 points is the most by an IUP player since Rajah Fink scored 24 at Clarion on February 26, 2020. 

Up next
The Crimson Hawks turn their attention towards conference play as they open with a PSAC crossover this weekend. IUP will play at Kutztown Friday night and at West Chester on Saturday. Both tipoffs are set for 5:30 p.m.

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