INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP women's basketball team is back on the road, making the short trip to Johnstown for a matchup with Pitt-Johnstown on Wednesday evening. Tipoff from the UPJ Sports Center is slated for 5:30 p.m.
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (10-3, 6-2 PSAC) at Pitt-Johnstown (11-4, 6-3 PSAC)
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. – UPJ Sports Center – Johnstown, Pa.
Social Media Updates: @IUP_WBB on X (formerly Twitter)
TIPOFF NEWS AND NOTES
- IUP endured its first divisional loss and second conference loss overall, falling to No. 3/4 Gannon by a 68-52 count last weekend in Erie.
- The Crimson Hawks remained ninth in the D2CSC Atlantic Region Poll for a second consecutive week.
- Two of IUP's three losses have come against teams ranked inside the top 15 nationally, coming against Fairmont State (12-2) and Gannon (17-1). IUP's third loss came against surging Lock Haven (13-1), which is in first place in the PSAC East. The combined record of the opponents that have defeated IUP is 42-4 (.913).
- Rahmena Henderson is sixth in the PSAC in scoring (16.8), while IUP is second in the conference and 16th nationally in scoring defense (55.8) entering the week. The balanced Hawks feature five players averaging 8.6 points/game or better this season.
- Henderson has played all 40 minutes in three straight games for the Crimson Hawks.
- Grace Centrulla is just two points shy of reaching 1,000 for her collegiate career (Mercyhurst/IUP). Over 87 career games, Centrulla boasts 998 points on 51.1% shooting.
- IUP was playing catch-up the whole way against Gannon, struggling to take care of the ball early in the setback.
- The Crimson Hawks and Mountain Cats split last season's regular season matchup with each side winning at home. IUP had a shorthanded lineup at UPJ in the team's last trip to Johnstown on January 14, 2023.
- Teirra Preston is just six rebounds shy of sole possession of 20th on IUP's all-time rebounding list. Currently, Melissa McGill (543) holds 20th place.
- Nyshae' Weaver leads the PSAC in rebounding average (9.2). As a team, IUP is second in the PSAC and first in the PSAC West in rebounding margin (+7.6).
PITT-JOHNSTOWN AT A GLANCE
- Cassidy Crawford has been on a roll for UPJ, posting a double-double for UPJ in a 68-56 victory against Clarion before adding game-highs of 22 points and eight rebounds in a win at Edinboro last Saturday.
- UPJ is third in the nation in three-point percentage (.381), paced by some strong outside shooters. Peyton Alazaus is second in the PSAC in three-point field goals (34).
- Pitt-Johnstown ended IUP's PSAC Tournament run last season, posting a 68-66 victory at the KCAC after taking advantage of a contentious call on IUP's potential game-tying shot with time winding down.
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HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
- Since the KCAC opened in the 2011-12 season, IUP has had an outstanding home court advantage to go along with a nationally prominent basketball program.
- IUP boasts a 150-26 (.852) mark in home games since the venue opened, not losing more than four home games in a single season during that span.
- At the KCAC, the IUP women have won:
- 13 of 17 games in 2022-23 (13-4)
- 33 of their last 41 (33-8)
- 49 of their last 59 (49-10)
- 62 of their last 74 (62-12) since 2018-19
COACHING TIES FOR CRAIG CAREY
- Head coach Craig Carey (28-13 record) was named the program's head coach full-time in 2023-24, serving in an interim role during his first season in 2022-23.
- Carey is the son of former longtime WVU head coach (and current UCF assistant) Mike Carey, a 34-year coaching veteran within the Big 12 Conference.
- Carey led IUP to an 18-10 record and a conference tournament berth despite arriving just before the season last year. The Hawks played six players for much of the season while using an up-tempo style for much of the year.
- Carey is a 2012 graduate of WVU, playing one season with the Mountaineer men's program before assisting his father with the women's squad.
IUP DEFENSE FORCING THE ISSUE
- With an aggressive style, the IUP defense has found a groove of late, playing a large role in the team's success this season that included a six-game winning streak.
- IUP is now second in the league in scoring defense (55.8), good for 16th nationally. Additionally, IUP is forcing opponents into an average of 19.8 turnovers per game, good for fourth in the league.
- IUP is second in the PSAC in steals/game (10.8). Over the last seven games, IUP has allowed an average of 54.5 points/game.
BAUGHMAN RETURNS AS ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREE
- Junior guard Kiera Baughman returns for her second season as a full-time starter with the Crimson Hawks, earning All-PSAC West First Team honors in 2022-23.
- Baughman has been a consistent presence along the IUP backcourt, particularly over the last two seasons, averaging over 30 minutes/game since the start of the 2022-23 season.
- Baughman has become the key facilitator for IUP in 2023-24, averaging 2.8 assists/game (12th in the PSAC) and a team-high 35 assists. She boasts 826 career points on 39.9% shooting, logging a season-high 22 points at Goldey-Beacom on November 18.
HENDERSON PROVING TO BE AN ALL-AROUND STANDOUT IN DEBUT SEASON FOR IUP
- Transfer guard Rahmena Henderson has quickly established herself as one of the top players in the region, joining the Hawks for her first season in 2023-24.
- Named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week on November 20, 2023, Henderson has posted double digits in each of her first 13 games for the Crimson Hawks.
- Henderson ranks sixth in the league in scoring (16.8), second in minutes (36:21), second in steals (2.6). She leads the team in total steals (34).
- She's played all 40 minutes six times this season and has found her touch from beyond the arc, converting at a 40.4% (21-52) clip from beyond during conference play.
IUP FORWARDS BRING VAST SKILLSET
- IUP has a talented group of forwards that each provide a unique skillset and role on the team, helping the Hawks to a rebounding margin of +7.6, good for second in the conference and 23rd nationally. The interior trio of Teirra Preston, Grace Centrulla and Nyshae' Weaver all enter the week averaging at least 8.6 points/game.
- Weaver (1st; 9.2) and Preston (8th; 8.2) are each among the top 10 in the conference in rebounding average.
- Preston is the veteran of the team, returning as a graduate student in 2023-24. She has played in a team-high 103 games since 2018-19, boasting 584 points and 538 rebounds in her career. Preston has nine career double-doubles (two in 2023-24) and is second on the team in steals (33).
- Weaver has grabbed at least 10 rebounds in six outings for IUP, providing a key option off the bench for the Hawks while averaging over 20 minutes per contest.
- Centrulla (Career: 87 GP, 998 Pts, 570 Rebs, 97 Blocks) gives IUP the ability to stretch the floor with an athletic inside/outside game, transferring in after three seasons at Mercyhurst for her first season with the Hawks in 2023-24. Centrulla handed out six assists with three steals in the win over ESU back on December 30.
CERRO PROVIDES TWO-WAY ABILITY AS AN EXPERIENCED GUARD
- Maria Cerro is the most experienced guard on the IUP roster, starting at least 18 games each of the past three seasons.
- Making 96 career appearances and 69 collegiate starts, Cerro is returned to the lineup after missing the Hawks' crossover matchups on December 1-2.
- Cerro ranked fifth in the PSAC in steals (61) as a junior in 2022-23, boasting 106 steals in her collegiate career. Averaging just over seven points/game for her career, Cerro has emerged as a dynamic two-way contributor for the Crimson Hawks.
JARRETT PROVIDES REINFORCEMENTS FOR IUP
- Much like Janeira Scott did last season, Macie Jarrett joins the IUP women's roster as a midyear addition, previously playing at Edinboro in 2021-22 and 2022-23. She scored her first points as a Crimson Hawks with a three from the right win against ESU on December 30.
- Jarrett made 52 career appearances at Edinboro, along with 15 starts. Averaging just under 19 minutes/game in her collegiate career, Jarrett registered a career-high 15 points against Salem (W.Va.) in November 2022.
- Meanwhile, Scott stepped into the starting lineup for several games and helps anchor an aggressive defensive approach for the Hawks.
ALEXANDER LENDING EXPERIENCE ON THE BENCH
- Former IUP sharpshooter Courtney Alexander returned to the bench midway through the 2022-23 season, joining Carey's coaching staff and returning to her alma mater as an assistant coach.
- Alexander made 100 career appearances as a student-athlete at IUP, spanning 2016-20 and 2021-22. She holds the program's single-game record for three-point baskets in a game, canning nine triples against Shippensburg in December 2021.
- Alexander scored 687 career points across her collegiate career, shooting 37.0% from beyond the arc. She was part of two PSAC championship squads, along with a regional title and NCAA DII Final Four appearance.
FOLLOW
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.
