EDINBORO, Pa. — The IUP women's basketball team defeated No. 5 Fairmont State in the Atlantic Region Quarterfinals, 76-61 to advance to the Semifinals tomorrow evening.

IUP improved to 22-7 on the season and this win marked head coach Craig Carey's first NCAA Tournament victory.

Nyshae' Weaver led IUP with 18 points, shot 7-for-10 FG, and grabbed eight rebounds. Shamia Strayhorn and Lily Jordan each added 14 points. Strayhorn notched a double-double with 10 rebounds and Jordan made 7-of-8 FG attempts.

As a team, IUP shot .536 from the field and .765 at the free throw line. The Hawks grabbed seven steals, posted four blocks, and grabbed 17 more rebounds than Fairmont State.

Janeira Scott began the scoring for Hawks with a three pointer. Fairmont State went on a 7-0 run before Ellie Wilkerson made a jumper to cut the deficit back to three points, 17-14. Weaver ended the first quarter with a layup and one. 

Early in the second quarter, Madison Zavasky, Strayhorn, and Weaver contributed baskets to tie the game at 23 with 5:57 remaining. Lily Jordan's basket at 3:51 gave IUP the lead for good, 28-27. IUP entered the half up by six points, 36-30.

The Fighting Falcons got the third quarter going with two triples and tied the score at 38 each at 7:25 for the final time. IUP responded with a quick 6-0 run before Marin Miller closed the quarter with a jumper and two free throws, extending the Hawks' lead to 10 points, 60-50.

In the fourth quarter, IUP added a few baskets to extend their lead before a three pointer from Wilkerson put IUP ahead by 20, their largest lead of the night. Strayhorn and Scott added three more points before Fairmont State wrapped up the game with two free throws and a last second jumper.

Up Next
No. 4 IUP will take on the No. 1 seed Edinboro in the Atlantic Region Semifinals tomorrow, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. inside McComb Fieldhouse.

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