CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Dejah Terrell converted a go-ahead triple from the right corner to put the California (Pa.) Vulcans ahead for good in a bitter 57-54 setback for the IUP Crimson Hawks in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the KCAC.
IUP (21-7) sputtered in the first and fourth quarters of a seesaw game, leading by as many as eight points in the second half. California (Pa.) (23-7) posted its second win against the Crimson Hawks in a one-week span, closing the game on a decisive 13-2 run over the final 5:33.
The reversal of fortunes put IUP on the wrong end of the scoreboard after battling back throughout the second quarter and into the third. The Hawks now await a potential bid into the 2023 NCAA DII Women's Basketball Tournament with the selection show on Sunday, March 10.
IUP entered the contest fifth in the NCAA DII Atlantic Region rankings, one spot ahead of surging Cal U. The postseason woes continue for IUP, winless in the PSAC Tournament since 2020. Terell hit the go-ahead shot and passed off to Allycia Harris for some insurance and the final basket of the night.
Harris finished with 25 points (9-18 FG), 12 rebounds and two blocks in a stellar showing for the Vulcans. Harris added 12 points, nine rebounds and two steals for the visitors. Cal has won nine games in a row, posting its second straight single digit win in the conference tournament.
IUP got 14 points each from
Maria Cerro and
Nyshae' Weaver. Weaver racked up another double-double, her third straight, with 12 rebounds. Cerro poured in 10 of her 14 points in the second quarter, helping the Crimson Hawks climb out of an early deficit.
Kiera Baughman finished with 10 points, now four points shy of reaching 1,000 in her collegiate career.
Grace Centrulla chipped in with nine points for the Hawks, which went just 14-of-32 on layup attempts in the contest.
Cal held the edge on the glass again as one of the top rebounding teams in the region.
A big second quarter flipped the momentum in favor of the Hawks going into the half. The Crimson Hawks used a 12-0 surge that spanned around three minutes in the second quarter, trimming their deficit to just two at 26-24.
Cerro fired in 12 points for the Hawks in the opening half with Weaver adding six points and five rebounds for the hosts. The Vulcans raced ahead to a 17-8 lead after the first quarter, later expanding the lead to 14 (26-12) on a driving score from Kimaya Williams.
The Hawks responded with the key 12-0 run after the Williams score, turning defense into offense and getting back within striking distance. IUP converted four consecutive baskets off Cal U turnovers, including a steal and score from Cerro at the 3:42 mark of the frame.
IUP shot 52.9% in the second stanza, holding the Vulcans to 28.6% from the floor in frame. IUP held a 12-6 edge in points off turnovers despite several missed layups in the first half.
Weaver pushed IUP ahead by eight after finishing through contact at the 3:22 mark of the frame. The Vulcans battled back before Cerro stretched IUP's margin to five (45-40) at the end of the third quarter.
Rahmena Henderson nailed a three off a kickout feed from Baughman, widening the IUP lead to 52-44 with 6:52 left. The Hawks went cold from there, converting just one more time on a Centrulla jumper with 1:44 left.
The Vulcans slowly chipped away in the fourth, clamping down on the Hawks down the stretch. While Centrulla's jumper pushed IUP ahead 54-52, Terrell's triple ignited the Vulcans the rest of the way.
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