INDIANA, Pa. – IUP suffered its first conference loss and first home defeat of the season Thursday evening, falling to Gannon 61-54 after being outscored 37-19 in the second half.

Both teams entered the matchup nationally ranked, with IUP at No. 19 in the D2CSC poll, while Gannon held the No. 10 spot in the D2CSC and ranked ninth in the WBCA poll. IUP  dropped to 12-2 overall and 7-1 in the PSAC, while Gannon improved to 15-2 overall and 7-1 in the PSAC. 
 
Freshman Lily Jordan had herself a night in her second start this season. She led IUP with 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting. She also added five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks while playing 38 minutes. Shamia Strayhorn contributed 14 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, while Ellie Wilkerson added 11 points, six rebounds, and one assist. Janeira Scott and Grace Centrulla each recorded a steal.
 
The Golden Knights got the lead early in the first, soon IUP responded with a three-pointer from Strayhorn and a layup by Jordan to take the 11-8 lead at the 4:39 mark. Wilkerson and Marin Miller added two baskets as the Hawks headed into the second quarter up, 16-15. 
 
In the second IUP shot 8-for-15 and held Gannon to 3-for-17. Back-to-back three pointers opened by Strayhorn fueled a 12-2 Hawk run with Miller's layup pushing the lead to 11 points at the 5:15 mark. Scott capped the half with a layup and a buzzer-beating three-pointer, that sent IUP into halftime ahead 35-24.
 
However, Gannon capitalized on three consecutive steals and converted those points, which eventually trimmed IUP's lead to just four points. The Hawks headed into the third up three points, 44-41.  
 
Gannon's Claxon tied the score at 44-44 with 8:44 on the clock in the fourth. The teams traded baskets before they were tied once again at 53-53 with just 1:36 to go. Strayhorn's and-one briefly gave IUP a one-point edge, but Gannon reclaimed the lead with a layup and converted six free throws to close the game.
 
Up Next 
IUP hosts Pitt-Johnstown on Wednesday, January 15 inside the KCAC, tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
 
Follow 
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.