FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The No. 6 seed IUP women's basketball team could not overcome a season-high 29 turnovers in a 72-63 loss to No. 3 seed Fayetteville State on Friday night in the 2024 NCAA DII Atlantic Region Tournament.
Fayetteville State took a 39-38 lead at the 3:28 mark of the third quarter and did not trail the rest of the way. IUP made a final push in the fourth quarter, getting back within three at 65-62 off a steal and score from
Rahmena Henderson.
It was as close as IUP would come as Fayetteville State stretched its margin back to 71-62 over the next minute. Fayetteville State converted 26 points from turnovers and racked up 30 fast break points.
Aniylah Bryan posted 23 points and eight steals for the vising Broncos. Talia Trotter finished with 15 points in 28 minutes.
For IUP,
Nyshae' Weaver posted a double-double with 19 points and 16 points in 38 minutes.
Rahmena Henderson posted 14 points and eight rebounds in her final collegiate game.
Kiera Baughman reached 1,000 career points for the Crimson Hawks with a foul shot in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks shot 38.9% for the game and the Broncos went 47.5% from the floor, including 58.3% in the fourth quarter alone.
Despite a turnover-plagues opening half, IUP held onto a 30-28 margin at the half. Getting some secondary scoring, IUP led by as many as eight in the frame before Fayetteville State made a run just before the half.
Benito knocked down two treys at 6:13 of the first and 6:17 of the second for the Hawks' largest lead of the frame at 22-14. Fayetteville State sliced its deficit down to two at the break, converting two layups in the final 54 seconds.
Weaver worked her way to double figures with the opening basket of the second half for the Hawks, knocking down her six foul shot for a 33-30 margin.
The Hawks dominated the boards, remaining in front by a slim margin midway through the third. Consecutive turnovers from IUP led to baskets on the other end for the Broncos, which pulled ahead 39-38. It was part of a larger 7-0 run for Fayetteville State that spanned over four minutes.
Leading 47-42 entering the fourth quarter, the Broncos continued converting timely shots in transition. Benito brought IUP back within eight with just over two minutes to go before the Broncos slowed the pace.
The bucket kickstarted a 7-0 run for the Crimson Hawks that included a steal and score for Henderson. That basket prompted a Fayetteville State timeout, leading 65-62 with 1:21 remaining.
Fayetteville State surged ahead for good after that, knocking down enough foul shots and pressuring on the defensive end to advance in the NCAA Tournament.
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