ERIE, Pa. – Mercyhurst capitalized on a big third quarter and held off a final push from a shorthanded IUP women's basketball squad as the Crimson Hawks came up on the short end of a 66-63 setback in Erie on Wednesday night.
 
Mercyhurst (15-7, 11-5) outscored IUP by 15 in the third quarter, taking a six-point edge heading into the final stanza before holding on the rest of the way. Both sides had several scoring runs throughout in a contest that featured three ties and five lead changes.
 
IUP (15-5, 11-4) took a 46-45 lead in the fourth quarter before Mercyhurst converted a trey from Paige Woodford, lifting the hosts ahead for good. IUP battled back throughout the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to one possession while extending the game over the final minute.
 
The Hawks had a final look with 0.5 seconds remaining from the right corner that did not fall in a resilient final few minutes for the visitors. Struggling with depth already, IUP had three players foul out in the comeback attempt down the stretch that included 23 turnovers on the night.
 
The Lakers, who were without one of their top shooters in the lineup, settled in from the floor in the second half. Mercyhurst closed the game shooting 62.5% from the field in the second half, also holding a 21-3 edge in bench points.
 
Kiera Baughman posted 19 points for IUP, while Rahmena Henderson (9-10 FT) just missed out on a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds. Nyshae' Weaver posted 14 points and Maria Cerro chipped in 11 points.
 
 Bailey Kuhns dropped in 17 points for Mercyhurst, one of four players in double figures for the hosts.
 
IUP could not capitalize off a strong start that saw Weaver score off the opening tip. The Hawks battled some turnovers in the first quarter, staying within a few points before knotting the game at 18 on a Macie Jarrett foul shot in the second, part of a 12-point spurt that flipped the momentum.
 
The scoring swing was part of a larger 20-4 surge over ten minutes for IUP into the second, regaining the advantage at 32-20. Henderson nailed a triple for the Hawks, which limited Mercyhurst to just two points in the frame going into the media timeout and nine points overall. IUP also took advantage of strong foul shooting while building the lead.
 
With a balanced output, IUP took a 34-25 edge into the intermission, holding Mercyhurst to 26.9% from the floor. Henderson and Baughman posted nine points each for the Hawks as Weaver added eight more. The Lakers went around eight minutes into the second without a field goal, converting just 3-for-13 from the field in the second stanza.
 
IUP battled some foul trouble early in the second half, employing an already shorthanded lineup. Weaver reached double figures with a slick move in the lane for a 36-25 IUP margin. Both teams went cold from the floor as Mercyhurst slowly chipped way at the IUP deficit at 39-33.
 
Mercyhurst rattled off an 11-0 blitz in the third quarter, moving back in front at 40-39 lead on a Grace Clary triple at the 2:07 mark. It was the first of two consecutive treys, matching IUP's 14-0 run in the first half in a back and forth contest.
 
IUP was limited to five points in the third, while Mercyhurst stormed ahead with a 22-5 run that spanned nearly 11 minutes of game action. The Hawks mustered just a pair of field goals in the third quarter, while the Lakers shot nearly 62% from the floor during that span.
 
Cerro sliced the deficit to four (45-41) with a timely driving basket for the Hawks early in the fourth. The basket kickstarted a 7-0 rally in response for IUP in a game of runs for both sides. IUP took the lead momentarily but found itself down near the midway point of the fourth quarter.
 
Weaver, Grace Centrulla and Jarrett all fouled out in the fourth quarter, impacting the already thin low post depth. IUP trailed by eight with just over two minutes remaining, unable to whittle away at the deficit enough.
 
IUP got back within two (63-61) with a score from Henderson, who did not relent despite trailing for much of the final quarter. Mercyhurst overcame some missed foul shots, holding on for the narrow victory.
 
Up Next
IUP hosts No. 2/3 Gannon for Alumni Day/Faith Night on Saturday, February 10 at the KCAC. Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
 
Gannon held on for a 57-54 victory against Edinboro just down the street at Erie Cathedral Prep, keyed by 27 points from Sam Pirosko.
 
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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