ERIE, Pa. - Behind a second straight double-double from freshman point guard Kiera Baughman, the IUP women's basketball team defeated Mercyhust 68-51 Monday night at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. 

Baughman was one of four Crimson Hawks to score in double-figures, going for 16 points and a season-high 12 rebounds in 37 minutes. 

A tight game in the fourth quarter, IUP outscored the Lakers 17-3 over the final eight minutes, keeping them off the board for 7:40 during a 9-0 run. 

The win was the third straight for the Hawks, all on the road, as they improved to 16-5 overall and 10-5 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The game was their fourth straight away game since last Monday. Mercyhurst fell to 7-14 overall and 5-10 in the league.

How it happened
The first quarter featured five ties and five lead changes as the Hawks took a 17-16 lead on a 3-pointer by senior guard Justina Mascaro as time expired. After a slow start by each team, the two combined for 18 points over the final 3:13. Mascaro had the hot hand for the Hawks with nine points.

Neither team could get a grip on the lead in the second quarter as IUP broke a Lakers' lead with a layup by junior forward Teirra Preston to go on top 25-24 late in the frame before going into the locker room up 27-25. 

IUP came out with momentum in the second half, using a 12-1 run to grab its biggest lead of the game at 39-26. The Hawks made their first four field goals of the half with senior guard Courtney Alexander drilling a pair of 3-pointers during the run. The Lakers chipped away at that lead and eventually went on an 11-4 run to make it a 51-48 IUP advantage after a 3-pointer at the beginning of the fourth quarter. 

Baughman responded on the following possession with a 3-pointer of her own, starting that 9-0 IUP run as the Hawks went on top 60-48 with 1:52 to play. From there the Hawks iced the game at the line while Mercyhurst went without a field goal over the final 1:45. 

The Hawks shot 60.0 percent (15-of-25) from the field in the second half, forcing Mercyhurst into 27.6 percent (8-of-29). IUP also finished with a 43-to-33 advantage on the glass. 

Who stood out
Baughman shot 6-of-10 from the field with a 3-pointer and went 3-of-6 from the foul line for her 16 points. She's averaging 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds and is shooting 52.9 percent (18-of-34) over the last three games.

Mascaro also finished with 16 points, going 5-of-9 from the field and 5-of-10 at the foul line. Junior guard Rajah Fink had 12 points and six rebounds and Alexander added 10 points. Senior forward Maura D'Anna had eight points and 10 rebounds in just 18 minutes. 

Notes
IUP wrapped up its fourth straight regular season sweep of Mercyhurst, also defeating the Lakers 77-58 at the KCAC on Jan. 29 ... Head coach Tom McConnell improved to 14-3 against Mercyhurst, including 5-3 in Erie ... This is the first game the Hawks had four scorers in double-figures since their 76-61 win over Ohio Dominican on Nov. 28 ..

Up next
The Crimson Hawks return home Wednesday to host rival Cal U (14-4, 9-4 PSAC). Tipoff is 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.