INDIANA, Pa. – IUP women's basketball never trailed in a bounce back 76-53 triumph against Clarion on Wednesday night in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action.

IUP (12-3, 7-3) snapped a three-game losing skid with all five starters posting double figures. Kiera Baughman led all scorers with 20 points, passing out six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Overall, IUP shot 46.0% from the floor, knocking down 13 triples compared to Clarion's (3-12, 3-7) five makes from beyond the arc.

Gina Adams added four of the Hawks' 11 three-point baskets, finishing with 14 points, five assists and four steals. The Hawks assisted on 25 of 29 field goals as Alana Cardona (13), Teirra Preston (11) and Maria Cerro (11) each posted double digits. Cerro had six assists and a team-high six boards for IUP in a more fluid offensive showing.

Clarion received 13 points from Sierra Bermudez in a losing cause. The Golden Eagles chipped away in the third quarter momentarily before the Crimson Hawks took control and finished out the contest in the fourth.

The Hawks posted their 10th consecutive victory in the series with Clarion, collecting 23 points off turnovers.

IUP found a better offensive rhythm in the second quarter, shooting 55.6% from the floor in the frame. The Hawks placed three scorers in double digits in the first half as the combo of Cardona, Baughman and Adams outscored the Golden Eagles in the first half by themselves.

IUP zipped out to a 7-2 lead to start the contest before Cardona lifted the hosts ahead by six at 11-5. The Eagles trimmed the gap to round out the first at the line, slicing its deficit to 14-9. Cardona lined up a triple from straightaway for a 14-7 advantage to round out the IUP scoring in the first before Clarion cashed in twice at the foul line.

IUP opened the second quarter with an 8-0 spurt, forcing four total turnovers in the frame while expanding the lead throughout. The Hawks closed the second quarter with a 8-2 scoring surge, which included a pair of triples from Baughman and strong defensive rebounding for a 39-23 halftime edge.

Adams triple in transition handed the Hawks their largest lead of the first half at 39-20, allowing just three Clarion offensive rebounds in the first half.

The Golden Eagles whittled the deficit down to nine in the third period on multiple occasions, including with just 1:21 remaining. Baughman and Cerro responded for the Hawks with three-point baskets, suddenly stretching the lead to 15 at 57-42.

The 6-0 run was part of a larger 11-0 run that spanned the initial two minutes of the fourth. Off a Clarion turnover, Cardona converted a stickback for a 62-42 advantage, The Hawks remained in control with the lead hovering around 20 points before Anna Kadlubek converted at the foul line for a 25-point edge.

Up Next
IUP hosts California (Pa.) on Saturday, January 21 at 1:00 p.m.

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