SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – IUP women's basketball slowly extended its lead throughout the second half, coming away with a 57-42 road win at Slippery Rock on Saturday afternoon at Morrow Field House.
With the win, IUP moves to 20-5 and 16-4 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). It marks the eighth 20-win season in the last nine campaigns for IUP and first for second-head head coach
Craig Carey.
After a competitive first half, IUP clamped down on the defensive end in the second half to methodically stretch its lead to double figures. The win is another important step for the Crimson Hawks in pursuit of the number two seed and a bye in the upcoming PSAC Tournament.
Slippery Rock (2-21, 2-18 PSAC) was limited to 28.0% from the floor and mustered just 15 points in the second half.
IUP received a game-high 16 points from
Rahmena Henderson, adding five rebounds and four steals.
Maria Cerro fired in 14 points, including 10 in the first half, while
Kiera Baughman logged 11 points and two steals.
Nyshae' Weaver finished with seven points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
Deryn Moye paced Slippery Rock with 13 points and Regan Atkins registered a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite battling some early turnovers, IUP used efficient shooting in the opening quarter, opening up an advantage on the road. Following a steal and strong ball movement, Henderson converted from beyond the arc for a 10-8 margin.
The Hawks were also strong on defense in the first stanza, moving ahead on laups from Henderson and Cerro over the final 2:07 of the frame. Cerro reached double figures early in the second quarter, converting a stickback for a 24-19 margin.
Both teams endured stretches of scoreless play with IUP ahead 26-24 in the second quarter. The Hawks posted a quick 5-0 spurt that included a driving hoop from Baughman and a strong team effort on the glass. Slippery Rock responded with baskets on dribble penetration, even missing some open looks with time ticking down in the second.
Henderson stopped up for a jumper with about one second left in the opening half, pushing IUP ahead 31-27 heading into intermission. As a team, IUP shot 46.2% from the floor in the opening half.
The Hawks continued to attack the offensive boards at the onset of the second half, struggling to finish at times despite multiple looks in the paint area. IUP slowly stretched its lead back to seven at 39-32, kickstarted by a steal and athletic transition layup from Weaver.
IUP continued to attack the interior in the third quarter, part of a larger 10-2 run that spanned nearly seven minutes. The Hawks held SRU to just seven points in the frame, for a 43-35 edge ahead of the fourth.
Cerro stretched the IUP margin to double figures at 45-35 early in the fourth as the lockdown defensive effort continued. The Hawks slowed the pace and worked time on the shot clock, melting away the clock in the fourth quarter with the double figure margin.
Up Next
IUP heads to California (Pa.) on Wednesday, February 28 for a 5:30 p.m. matchup.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.
