MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – IUP women's basketball trailed closely in the first half by just three points but came out in the second half strong, defeating Millersville 55-47 Saturday afternoon at Pucillo Gymnasium.
With the win, IUP improved to 10-1 overall and 6-0 in PSAC play, while Millersville fell to 8-4 overall and 3-3 in the conference.
Weaver delivered another standout performance, she led the team with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line, and collected nine rebounds. She also contributed two assists and a team-high four steals. Strayhorn added 16 points, three assists, three rebounds, a block, and a steal. Wilkerson and Centrulla each contributed eight points and six rebounds, while Scott logged 31 minutes, finished with three steals, three rebounds, and four assists.
IUP grabbed 39 rebounds compared the Millersville's 36, despite being down eight after the first half. Millersville had 23 turnovers, 11 of which were IUP steals. The Hawks shot 32.8% from the field and 68.8% from the free-throw line but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 4-of-17 attempts.
IUP opened the game with possession, as Scott quickly dished the ball to Weaver for a layup, giving the Hawks an early 2-0 lead. Millersville answered with a layup of their own before turnovers and missed opportunities slowed both teams. At 7:42, Weaver drew a foul and converted both free throws. Wilkerson secured a steal, but Strayhorn's layup attempt was blocked. Millersville tied the game at 4 with two free throws at 5:33.
Weaver continued her strong start, scoring another layup at 3:31 to contribute all six of IUP's points. Wilkerson added a layup, followed by a Jordan hook shot to bring IUP within one. Millersville ended the first quarter with two free throws, while Centrulla added a jumper for the Hawks, trailing 13-12.
Start of the second, Strayhorn made a driving layup, her first points of the night after going 0-for-5. Next play Wilkerson posted a block. At the 6:32 mark, Strayhorn pulled away with a steal and passed to Weaver but her shot was blocked back into the hands of Strayhorn who made a layup, IUP now with the lead, 16-15. The teams traded points for the remainder of the half, which ended with Millersville ahead 26-23.
Through the first half Millersville held the advantage with 23 rebounds, 16 of which were defensive while IUP managed just 15, seven defensive. The Marauders had 14 turnovers while IUP had just eight, the Hawks pulled away with five steals and scored eight points off turnovers.
The third quarter began with Scott assisting Weaver on a layup. At 7:09, Centrulla hit a three-pointer, followed by Strayhorn's rebound and layup to reclaim the lead, 30-29. Wilkerson added another three-pointer, and Strayhorn's layup extended IUP's run to 10-0, giving them a 35-29 advantage. Weaver added a layup at 3:43, bringing her total to 13 points to lead the court. Millersville responded with a 10-2 run, but IUP added two late baskets to close the quarter ahead, 41-39.
In the final quarter, Jordan stole the ball and set up Centrulla for a three-pointer, her second of the day. Wilkerson added another triple at 5:40, breaking a brief scoring drought. Scott's steal led to a Strayhorn layup and an and-one, extending the lead to 50-41 with under five minutes remaining. IUP sealed the game with five made free throws while Millersville added three baskets, falling short as IUP secured a 55-47 victory.
Up Next
IUP begins the new year with a matchup at Daemen on Thursday, January 3 with tipoff set for 6:30 p.m.
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