INDIANA, Pa. – The two hottest teams in the PSAC West will square off on Wednesday, each putting a five-game winning streak on the line as IUP women's basketball visits California (Pa.) and the Convocation Center for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff. 
 
Live coverage will be provided on the PSAC Digital Network, courtesy of CUTV. Additionally, the game will be aired live on U92.5FM and u92radio.com with the Voice of the Hawks, Jack Benedict.
 
GAMEDAY CENTRAL  
IUP (20-5, 16-4 PSAC) at California (Pa.) (19-7, 14-6 PSAC)
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. – Convocation Center – California, Pa.    
Game Coverage: Live Video — Live Stats — Live Audio
Social Media Updates: @IUP_WBB on X (formerly Twitter)
 
TIPOFF NEWS AND NOTES  

• The teams with the longest winning streaks in the PSAC West (five games) will collide on Wednesday as IUP concludes the road portion of its 2023-24 regular season slate.
• IUP locked up its 18th straight PSAC Tournament berth and 26th overall in program history. Additionally, it marked the second consecutive PSAC Tournament berth in as many years for head coach Craig Carey.
• IUP was listed among the initial NCAA DII Atlantic Region poll release last week. The first listing arranged teams in alphabetical order, while Wednesday's poll will include the teams listed in numerical order for the first time.
• The Crimson Hawks are the two seed in the upcoming PSAC Tournament, securing an all-important first round by to the quarterfinal round on March 6. That game will take place at the KCAC.
• IUP reached 20 wins for the eighth time in the past nine seasons following a 57-42 road win at Slippery Rock last weekend. IUP locked down on the defensive end, particularly in the second half in the win at SRU.
• IUP held Slippery Rock to 28.0% shooting from the floor and just 15 points in the second half.
• Rahmena Henderson was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week for a second time this season. Previously earning PSAC Player of the Week honors on November 20, Henderson averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 steals in 37.5 minutes for the Crimson Hawks in two divisional wins last week.
• IUP has earned the last two PSAC West Athlete of the Week honors with Nyshae' Weaver and Henderson earning recognition.
• Individually, Weaver leads the PSAC in rebounding average (9.5) while Henderson is sixth in scoring (15.9).
• Grace Centrulla is set for her 100th career game on Wednesday night against the Vulcans, spanning her time at Mercyhurst and IUP. Centrulla provided IUP a big offensive spark at Slippery Rock and continues to be a defensive force in the rebounding and shot blocking departments.
• Centrulla is fourth in the league in total blocks (30) and blocks/game (1.2).
• IUP is 94-26 (.783) in PSAC games since the 2017-18 season.
• As a team, IUP leads the league in steals (10.4) and field goal percentage (.446).
• IUP used a strong start and another lockdown defensive showing in a 61-51 victory against California (Pa.) in the first meeting of the season back in January. Henderson poured in a game-high 18 points (7-13 FG) with four steals in 40 minutes of action for the hosts.
• Last season, IUP finished out the regular season with a hard-fought overtime loss (88-84) against California (Pa.) at the Convocation Center.
• IUP's five-game winning streak is the second longest this season, winning six games earlier in the campaign.

 
CALIFORNIA (PA) AT A GLANCE

• Cal U has also clinched its spot in the conference tournament as five of the six total spots have been decided in the PSAC West.
• The Vulcans surrendered just six points in the second quarter, rolling along to a 65-56 victory against Mercyhurst. Cal U celebrated Senior Day, receiving a game-high 20 points from Allycia Harris.
• The Vulcans lead the league in offensive rebounding average (15.5) and turnovers forced (20.38). Individually, senior Dejah Terrell is second in the league in rebounding (8.6) behind Weaver. Terrell is also second in blocks (1.62).
• Harris is fourth in rebounding (8.2) and Nina Shaw is fourth in steals/game (2.3).

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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 155-27 (.850) 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)
  • 38 of their last 47 (38-9)
  • 54 of their last 65 (54-11)
  • 67 of their last 80 (67-13) since 2018-19

 
COACHING TIES FOR CRAIG CAREY

• Head coach Craig Carey (38-15 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, playing a large role in the team's success this season that included a six-game winning streak earlier in the year.
• IUP is now fifth in the league in scoring defense (56.5), good for 24th nationally. Additionally, IUP is forcing opponents into an average of 18.8 turnovers per game, good for third in the league. IUP is first in the PSAC in steals/game (10.4).
• The Crimson Hawks have held six opponents to 50 points or less in 2023-24.

 
HOW MAY I ASSIST YOU?

• IUP is third in the conference in assists/game, handing out an average of 14.3 per contest. 
• Maria Cerro is 9th in the league with 3.0 assists/game, while seven players have 20+ assists this season for the Hawks.
• As a team, IUP has dealt out 20 or more assists in four contests this season.

 
A TEAM EFFORT IN THE REBOUNDING DEPARTMENT

• IUP is sixth in the PSAC and 56th nationally with a +4.6 rebounding margin.
• The Hawks are seventh in the PSAC in offensive rebounding (12.0) and sixth in the league in defensive rebounding (26.5).
• IUP has outrebounded its opponents in 16 of 25 games this season, including a double-figure edge in rebounds six times.

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 2.4 assists/game (61 assists). She boasts 961 career points on 39.0% 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 and February 26, Henderson has posted double digits in each of her first 20 games for the Crimson Hawks. Her streak was snapped against Gannon on February 10.
• Henderson ranks sixth in the league in scoring (15.9), third in minutes (36.4), second in steals (2.6). She leads the team with 66 total steals.  
• She's played all 40 minutes 10 times this season.

 
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 +4.6, while that production has dipped slightly. The interior duo Grace Centrulla and Nyshae' Weaver both enter the week averaging at least 7.6 points/game.
• The Crimson Hawks are missing veteran forward Teirra Preston (injury), who left the game in the second half at Clarion on January 31. IUP has a tall task in replacing Preston's production, who's played in a team-high 109 games since 2018-19, boasting 647 points and 586 rebounds in her career.
• Weaver leads the PSAC in rebounds/game (9.5), making her first start at IUP at Mercyhurst in February. A key contributor that has stepped into the starting lineup, Weaver boasts seven double-doubles this season and 10+ rebounds in 11 contests.
• Centrulla (Career: 99 GP, 1,080 Pts, 647 Rebs, 118 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 and is continuing to provide an all-around level of consistency.

 
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 108 career appearances and 81 collegiate starts, Cerro is returned to the lineup after missing the Hawks' crossover matchups on December 1-2. Working back into the starting lineup, Cerro posted 18 points (6-8 FG) at UPJ on January 17 and a season-high 20 points against Seton Hill on February 21.
• Cerro ranked fifth in the PSAC in steals (61) as a junior in 2022-23, boasting 125 steals in her collegiate career. Averaging 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. 

 
RECORD BOOK WATCH
Career Rebounds
16. 599 – Megan Smith (2014-18)
17. 586 – Teirra Preston (2018-Pres)
18. 579 – Adriene Douglas (1981-84)
19. 569 – Lisetta Boccella (1982-86)
20. 567 – Jacqui Martin (2000-04)
 
Career Three-Pointers Made
14. 114 – Kiera Baughman (2021-Pres)  
15. 113 – Amy Fairman (2011-15)
16. 111 – Kylie Miller (2005-09)
17. 101 – Molly Carr (1995-99)
18. 86 – Lisa Bendick (1991-95)
19. 84 – Kiley Nadwodny (1992-96)
 
Field Goal Percentage – Season (Min. 125 Attempts)
1. 60.5 (89-147) – Karen Robatin (1991-23)
2. 59.3 (102-172) – Nyshae' Weaver (2023-24)
3. 59.0 (111-188) – Beth McDonald (2000-01)
4. 57.5 (164-285) – Lexi Griggs (2018-19)
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T9. 56.0 (84-150) – Teirra Preston (2023-24)
 
FOLLOW  
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB. 
 

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