LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The IUP women's basketball team had multiple chances to move back in front during the second half, unable to take control in a 65-54 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover setback to Lock Haven on Saturday afternoon.
IUP (4-2, 1-1) found itself playing catch up for much of the afternoon, staying within striking distance and one possession much of the contest but unable to get over the top. With little depth and tired legs on the second of back-to-back games, IUP seemingly ran out of steam with seven points in the fourth quarter.
Rahmena Henderson posted a team-high 17 points, three rebounds and one steal for the Hawks.
Nyshae' Weaver added 12 points (5-8 FG) and 10 rebounds for a double-double off the bench before LHU closed off the interior.
Teirra Preston added 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Meanwhile, Lock Haven (5-1) pushed its winning streak to five consecutive games, leading for over 35 minutes. Alana Robinson fired in a game-high 24 points (11-16 FG), adding seven rebounds, five blocks, four assists and three steals for the Bald Eagles.
Lock Haven took a 36-32 lead going into the locker room as part of an exciting, up and down contest. LHU shot 76.9% (10-13) from the floor to remain in front, using some key defensive plays that offset eight turnovers with IUP gaining ground.
Henderson logged nine points in the opening half, all coming from beyond the arc with Weaver adding eight points off the bench in place of
Grace Centrulla, who picked up a third foul in the second quarter.
LHU used a sharpshooting opening quarter for an early lead in a back-and-forth matchup. Henderson buried a triple from the right wing off a kickout pass from Weaver, bringing the Hawks back within one at 11-10. The teams traded scores into the second quarter, including a barrage of triples around the seven-minute mark in the frame.
LHU used a quick 5-0 spurt, kickstarted by a response triple from Olivia Smith, forcing IUP into a timeout behind 24-20. Weaver converted a floating basket through contact out of the timeout, finishing the old-fashioned three-point play with the teams trading baskets. The Bald Eagles continued their strong shooting, zipping ahead 28-23 off a block and subsequent score in the lane from Alana Robinson just ahead of the media timeout.
Kiera Baughman sliced the deficit with a catch and shoot finish along the left baseline with IUP using a run of its own, finishing the foul shot and bringing IUP back within two at 30-28. Lock Haven converted around 70% from the floor for much of the opening half, maintaining a slim margin heading into the intermission despite IUP playing better on the defensive end with the half expiring.
IUP pinpointed the post area early in the second half while Robinson continued guiding Lock Haven, keeping the Bald Eagles in front narrowly. Both sides endured a brief scoreless drought with IUP battling to get over the top, trailing by one. Robinson stretched the LHU lead to 48-45 with a pair of free throws, giving her 20 points for the game late in the third quarter.
Scoring became tough to come by early in the fourth with both sides cooling off considerably. The teams combined to go 2 for 16 from the floor in the early stages of the fourth quarter before Jenadia Jordan provided LHU with a jolt and a 54-49 edge. Time started melting away for IUP, unable to close the gap with another scoreless stretch as LHU stretched the lead to double figures.
Up Next
IUP returns home to continue PSAC crossover play on December 18 against Mansfield and December 19 against Bloomsburg from the KCAC.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.
