ERIE, Pa. – The IUP women's basketball program knocked off No. 11/7 Gannon Saturday afternoon 73-66, after a 29-point fourth quarter.  
 
With this win, IUP moved to the third slot in the PSAC West and improved to 11-3 in the conference and 16-4 overall. The Golden Knights dropped to 20-5 overall and 12-4 in the conference. The Hawks picked up their first win of the season against a ranked opponent. 
 
Shamia Strayhorn led the floor with 23 points and shot .615 from the field. Nyshae' Weaver recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Janeira Scott contributed six steals and eight points. Ellie Wilkerson added 12 points and six rebounds.
 
IUP shot .510 from the field and made 18-of-24 free throws. Gannon shot .468 from the field and were .696 from the free throw line.
 
Both teams got off to a slow start in the first quarter, with IUP's first field goal coming at the 6:11 mark off a Wilkerson layup. Wilkerson followed up with two free throws, while Weaver and Centrulla each added layups to give IUP an 8-5 lead with 1:30 remaining. However, Gannon responded with two late baskets to edge ahead 9-8 by the end of the quarter.
 
Strayhorn opened the second quarter with a three-point play at 9:08, followed by another from Wilkerson that brought IUP within one. Wilkerson hit a three-pointer at 7:49 to tie the game at 17. Lily Jordan's three-pointer at 3:18 pushed IUP back in front, 26-25.
 
The teams remained within four points of each other through the first 23 minutes until a Gannon free throw put the Golden Knights up five. Janeira Scott grabbed a steal at 6:43 and made a long pass down the court to Strayhorn to score. Just under five minutes, both Strayhorn and Scott picked off passes to convert quick points. Scott came away with her fourth steal of the day and finished at the 38 second mark. 
 
IUP shot their best in the fourth quarter, .643 from the field and converted 10 free throws.
 
Weaver began the fourth quarter with seven points, and a basket made by Strayhorn tied the teams at 55 each at the 5:25 mark. The teams exchanged free throws before Strayhorn responded to a Gannon three-pointer with one of her own at 2:25. Scott and Centrulla added crucial steals and fast-break points that extended IUP's lead to 70-64 with just 50 seconds remaining. The Hawks sealed the win with three additional free throws.
 
Up Next 
IUP will travel to Pitt-Johnstown on Wednesday, February 12, with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m. inside the Sports Center.

Follow 
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.