INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP women's basketball team looks to bounce back on Saturday afternoon, facing No. 2/3 Gannon for a 1:00 p.m. tipoff. Saturday's doubleheader is Alumni Day/Faith Night at the KCAC.
 
Live coverage will be provided on the PSAC Digital Network, courtesy of IUP-TV Sports. Additionally, the game will be aired live on U92.5FM and u92radio.com with the Voice of the Hawks, Jack Benedict.
 
GAMEDAY CENTRAL  
IUP (15-5, 11-4 PSAC) vs. No. 2/3 Gannon (24-1, 16-0 PSAC)
Saturday, February 10, 2024 – 1:00 p.m. – KCAC – Indiana, Pa.  
Game Coverage: Live Video — Live Stats — Live Audio
Social Media Updates: @IUP_WBB on X (formerly Twitter)
 
TIPOFF NEWS AND NOTES  

• Battling foul trouble into the second half, IUP fell short in a 66-63 setback to Mercyhurst last time out on February 7 in Erie. Meanwhile, Gannon extended its winning streak to 21 games, holding on for a 57-54 triumph against Edinboro.
• The Crimson Hawks finished the game at Mercyhurst with five available players because of foul trouble, continually battling back in the fourth quarter.
• IUP was outscored 20-5 in the third quarter at Mercyhurst in a game of runs. The Hawks outscored Mercyhurst 20-9 in the second quarter before the Lakers used a clinching stretch at the onset of the second half.
• Despite the loss, IUP remained in second place in the PSAC West with an 11-5 league mark. Entering the weekend, four teams (IUP, Mercyhurst, Cal U, Edinboro) all have at least 10 conference wins.
• Gannon ranks seventh nationally in scoring defense (53.0), while converting over 45% of its field goals on the offensive end as a veteran squad. Sam Pirosko, who scored her 2,000th career point last time out, leads the PSAC and ranks 14th nationally in scoring average (19.2).
• IUP is 89-26 in PSAC games since the 2017-18 season.
• The Hawks have won nine of 10 games at the KCAC this season, with the lone loss coming to Edinboro (70-69) after a late three with around five seconds remaining.
• Kiera Baughman had her second-best scoring output of the season, and highest since Nov. 18, 2023, with 19 points and five rebounds in 35 minutes at Mercyhurst.
• In the team's first full game without all-around standout Teirra Preston (injury), the Crimson Hawks used a balanced approach in the rebounding department. Rahmena Henderson matched a game-high nine boards, with Nyshae' Weaver and Maria Cerro pulling down six rebounds apiece.
• IUP has lost three straight to Gannon, including a 68-52 setback in Erie on January 13. The Hawks' last victory against the Golden Knights in Indiana came on February 15, 2020 (59-54).
• Henderson had a hard-earned 18 points in the initial meeting with Gannon, while Grace Centrulla added 11 rebounds in the initial meeting between the two teams. Bri Claxon dropped in2 3 points (10-19 FG), while Pirosko notched a double-double for the Knights in January.  
• IUP leads the league in steals/game (10.6), while Henderson ranks second in the league in steals/game (2.65) individually.

 
GANNON AT A GLANCE

• Gannon's 21-game winning streak is the second-longest in school history. The Knights are ranked second in the WBCA DII Top 25 for a third consecutive week, also third in the D2CSC Media Poll.
• Pirosko leads the league in scoring as a sixth-year senior (redshirt season, COVID waiver), becoming the third Gannon women's basketball player to eclipse 2,000 career points. She is currently third among active scorers in DII women's basketball.  
• The Knights are the lone team in the PSAC West to have locked up a conference tournament berth.
• Gannon's lone loss of the season came to the defending national champions, Glenville State, back on November 10.
• With a 23-1 mark, Gannon secured its ninth winning season under the direction of head coach Cleve Wright at third in a row.

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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 152-27 (.847) 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)
  • 35 of their last 44 (35-9)
  • 51 of their last 62 (51-11)
  • 64 of their last 77 (64-13) since 2018-19

 
COACHING TIES FOR CRAIG CAREY

• Head coach Craig Carey (33-15 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 (56.9), good for 24th nationally. Additionally, IUP is forcing opponents into an average of 19.2 turnovers per game, good for third in the league. IUP is first in the PSAC in steals/game (10.6).
• The Crimson Hawks have held five 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 15.1 per contest. 
• Maria Cerro is 8th in the league with 3.1 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 third in the PSAC and 31st nationally with a +6.2 rebounding margin.
• The Hawks are fifth in the PSAC in offensive rebounding (13.0) and sixth in the league in defensive rebounding (26.2).
• IUP has outrebounded its opponents in 14 of 20 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 2.7 assists/game (52 assists). She boasts 914 career points on 39.1% 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 20 games for the Crimson Hawks.
• Henderson ranks sixth in the league in scoring (16.4), third in minutes (35.9), second in steals (2.6). She leads the team with 53 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 +6.2, good for fourth in the conference and 31st nationally. The interior duo Grace Centrulla and Nyshae' Weaver both enter the week averaging at least 8.0 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 (8.9), making her first start at IUP at Mercyhurst last time out. A key contributor off the bench averaging 22.8 minutes, Weaver boasts four double-doubles this season and 10+ rebounds in eight contests.
• Centrulla (Career: 94 GP, 1,046 Pts, 617 Rebs, 110 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 103 career appearances and 76 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 a season-best 18 points (6-8 FG) at UPJ on January 17.
• Cerro ranked fifth in the PSAC in steals (61) as a junior in 2022-23, boasting 115 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. 

 
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
15. 113 – Amy Fairman (2011-15)
16. 111 – Kylie Miller (2005-09)
17. 107 – Kiera Baughman (2021-Pres)  
18. 101 – Molly Carr (1995-99)
19. 86 – Lisa Bendick (1991-95)
20. 84 – Kiley Nadwony (1992-96)
 
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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