INDIANA, Pa. – Earning an at-large bid into the 2024 NCAA DII Women's Basketball Tournament field, the IUP Crimson Hawks begin action as the three seed on Friday, March 15 against No. 6 seed Fayetteville State.
The contest is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Fairmont State's Joe Retton Arena. This year, the NCAA DII Atlantic Region Tournament was split between two host sites. Gannon, the top overall seed, is hosting both the men's and women's regional tournament this weekend.
The game will air live on NCAA Championship Pass ($), along with live audio on U92.5 FM and u92radio.com with the Voice of the Hawks, Jack Benedict.
NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional at Gannon – Quarterfinals – Friday, March 15
Game 1 – No. 4 Lock Haven (28-3) vs. No. 5 California (Pa.) (23-8) – 12 noon
Game 2 – No. 1 Gannon (32-2) vs. No. 8 West Virginia State (21-10) – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 -- Semifinals
Game 3 – Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner – 5:00 p.m.
NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional at Fairmont State – Quarterfinals – Friday, March 15 | Tournament Central
Game 1 – No. 2 Fairmont State (26-5) vs. No. 7 West Chester (24-6) – 5:00 p.m.
Game 2 – No. 3 Fayetteville State (27-2) vs. No. 6 IUP (21-7) – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 -- Semifinals
Game 3 – Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner – 7:00 p.m.
NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional – Regional Final – Tuesday, March 19 (at highest remaining seed)
Game 7 – Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
2024 NCAA DII Atlantic Region First Round
No. 6 IUP (21-7) vs. No. 3 Fayetteville State (27-2)
Friday, March 15, 2024 – 7:30 p.m. – Joe Retton Arena – Fairmont, W.Va.
Social Media Updates: @IUP_WBB on X (formerly Twitter)
NCAA MOVING TO PAY-PER-VIEW MODEL FOR POSTSEASON VIDEO STREAMS
The NCAA announced a streaming partnership with Hudl for coverage of DII football, volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball. Part of this mandated partnership is moving video streams produced by schools behind a paywall, including for this week's NCAA DII Atlantic Region Tournament.
All games will be webcast on www.ncaa.com, the Hudl platform and an OTT app – "NCAA Championships Pass". The host institution is responsible for the webcast of each game in the regional regardless if the host team is playing.
Fans will have three viewing options: $9.95 per contest, $29.95 for all Division II Women's Basketball Championship games excluding the semifinals and championship game, and $49.95 for all Division II Women's and Men's Basketball Championship games, excluding the semifinals and championship games. The semifinals (Final Four) and finals (Championship) of the DII Women's Basketball Championship will be carried on CBS Sports Network.
TIPOFF NEWS AND NOTES
- IUP is making its 16th NCAA DII Tournament appearance and the first under second-year head coach Craig Carey.
- The Hawks are 8-5 in NCAA Tournament openers in program history.
- With a split regional for this year's tournament, teams were split into two pods with Gannon and Fairmont State serving as hosts sites in the Atlantic Region.
- The winner of Friday's matchup between IUP/Fayetteville State takes on the winner of (2) Fairmont State/(7) West Chester on Saturday, March 16 in the Atlantic Region Semifinals.
- IUP is returning to action for the first time since a 57-54 setback against California (Pa.) on Wednesday, March 6 in the PSAC Quarterfinals.
- Kiera Baughman enters the NCAA Tournament just four points shy of 1,000 for her career.
- IUP and Fayetteville State will meet for the first time in women's basketball on Friday. The teams were scheduled to meet in the 2020 opening round, a game never played after the NCAA Tournament was cancelled (COVID-19).
- Craig Carey has gotten off to a strong start in his first two seasons, winning 39 games. It's among the most wins in two seasons for a coach in IUP history, behind Cindy Martin (43), Jeff Dow (43) and Tom McConnell (43).
- The Crimson Hawks were well represented with conference awards this season. The Hawks had a league-best three all-conference selections in 2023-24, also earning a weekly honor from the conference in each of the final three weeks of the regular season.
- Rahmena Henderson was named the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year, becoming the second Crimson Hawk in program history (Lexi Griggs) to earn the major award. Henderson was also named an All-PSAC West First Team and D2CCA All-Region Second Team honoree.
- Henderson eighth in the PSAC in scoring (15.5), third in minutes (36.3), first in steals (76) and first in steals/game (2.7). Her 76 steals rank 14th at IUP for a single season, emerging as a complete player on both ends of the floor.
- Maria Cerro and Nyshae' Weaver picked up All-PSAC West Second Team laurels.
- Weaver is the only player in the PSAC to average a double-double (11.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG) and one of just two in the region. Her 269 rebounds rank ninth in program history for a single season, while her 58.5% mark from the floor is third in program history.
- Seeing action in 26 games this season, Cerro has played in 111 contests at IUP since 2019-20. She ranks among the top 10 in the PSAC in assists with 3.0 per game.
FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT A GLANCE
- With 27 wins this season, Fayetteville State has the second most victories entering the tournament, only trailing Gannon (32). FSU set a program record for wins in a regular season, going 24-2 overall and 17-1 in conference play.
- CIAA Coach of the Year Tyreece Brown is in his first season on an interim basis, leading the Broncos to their first NCAA Tournament game since 2010. The team qualified in 2020, never competing upon the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament.
- The Broncos feature a talented lineup, headlined by CIAA Player of the Year Aniylah Bryant and CIAA Defensive Player of the Year Morgan Graham.
- Fayetteville State earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament after a 64-59 win against Elizabeth City State in the conference title game.
- Graham has 78 blocked shots this season for a Fayetteville State team that ranks third int he CIAA in scoring offense (67.8) and scoring defense (58.2).
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 156-28 (.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)
- 39 of their last 49 (39-10)
- 55 of their last 67 (55-12)
- 68 of their last 82 (68-14) since 2018-19
COACHING TIES FOR CRAIG CAREY
- Head coach Craig Carey (39-17 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.
HOMECOMING OF SORTS FOR THE CRIMSON HAWKS IN FAIRMONT
- While IUP had to hit the road for tournament play, Fairmont, W.Va. is a familiar area for several within the IUP program.
- Head coach Craig Carey grew up in Clarksburg, a neighboring town about 20 minutes south of Fairmont. Assistant coach Jesse Maddox is also from the Fairmont area, growing up in West Virginia.
- Both Carey and Maddox have experience in various capacities at West Virginia University.
- While from Maryland, Nyshae' Weaver has familiarity with Fairmont and Fairmont State, competing against the Falcons as a freshman in the MEC at Alderson Broaddus.
- The Crimson Hawks played Fairmont State in the nonconference slate back on November 15, falling 78-64. The Falcons went on to have a strong season, winning the MEC and earning the number two seed in the NCAA DII Atlantic Region Tournament.
THE GREAT EIGHT
- IUP has been saddled with roster turnover and some unfortunate injuries this season, leaving just eight available student-athletes for the final month of the regular season and into tournament play.
- Gina Adams, a starter from last year, has not played all season due to injury. Another key contributor, Teirra Preston, will also miss the rest of the season due to injury.
- Playing an aggressive style on defense, the Crimson Hawks have worked to manage minutes throughout the year. Weaver has stepped into the starting lineup with the five starters averaging 25 minutes or more.
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 fifth in the league in scoring defense (56.7), good for 24th nationally. Additionally, IUP is forcing opponents into an average of 18.4 turnovers per game, good for third in the league. IUP is first in the PSAC in steals/game (10.2).
- 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 14.2 per contest.
- Maria Cerro is ninth 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 55th nationally with a +4.1 rebounding margin.
- The Hawks are seventh in the PSAC in offensive rebounding (11.9) and sixth in the league in defensive rebounding (26.4).
- IUP has outrebounded its opponents in 17 of 28 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 2.5 assists/game (69 assists). She boasts 996 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 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 and only season in 2023-24. She is the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year, a D2CCA All-Region Second Team and All-PSAC West First Team honoree this season.
- Named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week on November 20 and February 26, Henderson posted double digits in each of her first 20 games for the Crimson Hawks. Her streak was snapped against Gannon on February 10.
- Henderson eighth in the PSAC in scoring (15.5), third in minutes (36.3), first in steals (76) and first in steals/game (2.7). Her 76 steals rank 14th at IUP for a single season, emerging as a complete player on both ends of the floor.
- She's played all 40 minutes 13 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 +4.1, while that production has dipped slightly. The interior duo Grace Centrulla and Nyshae' Weaver have led the way in the low block over the last few weeks.
- 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 109 games since 2018-19, boasting 647 points and 586 rebounds in her career.
- An All-PSAC West Second Team performer, Weaver leads the PSAC in rebounds/game (10.0). A key contributor that has stepped into the starting lineup, Weaver boasts eight double-doubles this season and 10+ rebounds in 12 contests.
- Weaver's 269 rebounds this season rank ninth in program history for a single season.
- Centrulla (Career: 102 GP, 1,104 Pts, 659 Rebs, 123 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.
- Centrulla is fourth in the league with 35 blocks this season, tied for 20th in program history.
CERRO PROVIDES TWO-WAY ABILITY AS AN EXPERIENCED GUARD
- Maria Cerro is the most experienced player on the IUP roster, starting at least 18 games each of the past three seasons. She earned All-PSAC West Second Team honors last week, her first career all-conference laurel.
- Making 111 career appearances and 84 collegiate starts, Cerro 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 135 steals in her collegiate career. Averaging nearly eight points/game for her career, Cerro is as a dynamic two-way contributor for the Crimson Hawks.
JARRETT PROVIDES REINFORCEMENTS FOR IUP
- Much like Janeira Scott did last season, Macie Jarrett joined 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, continually playing a larger role in the IUP lineup as the season has gone on.
- 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)
18. 579 – Adriene Douglas (1981-84)
19. 569 – Lisetta Boccella (1982-86)
20. 567 – Jacqui Martin (2000-04)
Note: 498 of Centrulla's 659 rebounds came at Mercyhurst
Career Three-Pointers Made
13. 127 – Jess Conner (200-04)
15. 117 -- Kara Taylor (2002-06)
16. 113 – Amy Fairman (2011-15)
Field Goal Percentage – Season (Min. 125 Attempts)
1. 60.5 (89-147) – Karen Robatin (1991-23)
2. 59.0 (111-188) – Beth McDonald (2000-01)
4. 57.5 (164-285) – Lexi Griggs (2018-19)
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Rebounds – Season
5. 289 – Sarah Zdesar (2002-03); Jahzinga Tracey (2007-08)
7. 286 – Beth McDonald (1998-99)
8. 273 – Michelle Guin (1981-82)
10. 262 – Julie Kibler (1981-82)
11. 258 – Adriene Douglas (1981-82)
Rebounding Average – Season
8. 10.3 -- Adriene Douglas (1981-82)
10. 9.6 -- Jahzinga Tracey (2008-09)
Steals – Season
9. 84 – Halle Denman (2017-18); Lauren Wolosick (2017-18)
11. 80 – Patti Connaghan (1987-88)
12. 78 – Patti Connagham (1985-86)
13. 77 – Leah Simmons (1989-90)
15. 74 – Four players
Blocked Shots – Season
17. 40 – Beth McDonald (1998-99)
18. 39 – Kim Shaw (1993-94)
19. 36 – Maura D'Anna (2021-22)
20. 35 – Jodi Fredrick (1997-98); Grace Centrulla (2023-24)
FOLLOW
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.
