INDIANA, Pa. - Despite a furious fourth quarter comeback that saw the Crimson Hawks score 27 points, the No. 8-ranked IUP women's basketball team dropped 67-58 decision to visiting Shepherd Saturday afternoon at the Kovalchick Complex.

It was the first loss of the season for the Crimson Hawks, who fell to 9-1 overall and 3-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play. Shepherd remained undefeated on the year, improving to 10-0 and 4-0 in league play. 

The loss snaps IUP's 31-game win streak against PSAC East teams in the regular season. It was also IUP's first home regular season loss since falling to No. 22 Glenville State on November 15, 2019, a streak of 18 straight victories. 

The Hawks looked strong in the early going, scoring the game's first seven points while senior guard Justina Mascaro scored six points in the first 6:15 of play. IUP took a 15-11 lead into the second quarter, but Shepherd opened with a 10-3 run to take a 21-18 lead with 5:47 left before the half. After senior guard Courtney Alexander tied things up at 22-apiece, the finished the quarter on a 12-0 run over the final 3:22 to take a 34-22 lead into the break.

Shepherd continued to build on its momentum, outscoring the Hawks by 10 in the third to take a commanding 53-31 lead into the fourth. IUP regained its first quarter momentum, opening with an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 14 with 7:07 left. The Hawks continued to chip away at Shepherd's lead, forcing seven turnovers in the quarter while owning a 12-5 advantage on the glass. IUP also shot 11-of-22 from the field over the final 10 minutes compared to just 3-of-8 for the Rams. But in the end the effort was too little and too late.

Mascaro tallied her first double-double of the year with 16 points and 12 rebounds, adding three steals in 39 minutes. Alexander had 11 points and senior forward Maura D'Anna added 10 points, six rebounds and four steals.

Notes
IUP entered the game ranked No. 8 in the WBCA Coaches and No. 6 in the D2SIDA Media Top 25 polls ... Shepherd is receiving votes in the coaches' poll and is ranked No. 20 in the media top 25 ... The 67 points allowed is the most by IUP this season ... Shepherd finished 16-of-18 from the foul line while IUP went just 5-of-7. 

Up next
The Crimson Hawks look to rebound Sunday when they host Shippensburg (7-3, 3-1 PSAC). Tipoff is 1 p.m. at the Kovalchick Complex.

Follow
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