INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP women's basketball team looks to make a run in the conference tournament, hosting California (Pa.) on Monday, March 3 in the PSAC Tournament First Round. Tipoff from the KCAC is set for 6:00 p.m.
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (20-6, 15-5 PSAC) vs. California (Pa.) (16-11, 12-8 PSAC)
Monday, March 3, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. – KCAC – Indiana, Pa.
Game Coverage: Live Video — Live Stats —Live Audio
Social Media Updates: @IUP_WBB on X (formerly Twitter)
TICKETS
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online. There will be a mobile device at the site to purchase tickets and there will be no cash sales. *Tickets cannot be purchased through The First Commonwealth Bank Box Office*
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children K-12, and students with a valid PSAC member institution ID card will receive free admission.
Hudl Ticket Link: IUP WBB vs. California (Pa.) | PSAC Championship Tickets
PSAC TOURNMAENT OVERVIEW
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Since Head Coach Craig Carey has taken over the program in 2022, the Hawks have made an appearance in the tournament but have not won a game. IUP lost in 2023 in the First Round against UPJ by two, and lost to Cal U last season, 57-54, in the quarterfinals after receiving a first round bye.
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Since 2020, IUP has only played in the KCAC during the PSAC tournament. The last time IUP advanced to the championship game was in 2020 against Gannon but fell short 50-40.
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Following the PSAC First Round and Quarterfinals, the semifinal and championship rounds will be contested on March 8-9 at the highest remaining West seed.
TIPOFF NOTES
>> After a long and hard fought season, IUP solidified their spot at fourth in the PSAC West.
>> IUP closed ou their regular season with a win over Clarion, 68-55
>> Shamia Strayhorn led the charge for the Crimson Hawks, posting 19 points, followed by Nyshae' Weaver with 16, and Lily Jordan with 13.
>> Weaver was named PSAC West Co-Athlete of the Week on February 24th for the third time this season and received PSAC honors for the fourth overall time this season.
>> Weaver ranks 16th nationally with 13 double-doubles this season. Weaver is also ranked first in Division II with her field goal percentage and second in rebounds per game
>> Wilkerson was named PSAC West Athlete of the Week on January 7.
>> The Hawks are not receiving in the WBCA Division II Coaches Poll and in the D2CSC Media Poll. IUP sits in second in the Atlantic Region behind PSAC opponent Seton Hill.
>> The Hawks are currently averaging 70.1 PPG, 40.4 RPG, 13.6 APG, 9.0 SPG, and 3.0 BPG. IUP is shooting .448 from the field, .299 beyond the arc, and .696 from the free throw line.
>> IUP is ranked sixth in the conference for scoring defense, limiting their opponents to an average of 59.5 PPG.
>> The Hawks rank fifth in the PSAC for scoring offense, averaging 70.1 PPG, and are second in the conference in field goal percentage (.448).
>> IUP has not been able to defeat Cal U this season. Their most recent win was on January 29, 2024. Cal U ended IUP's PSAC tournament run in the playoffs last year, defeating the Crimson Hawks, 57-54.
>> Cal U finished out the regular season with a loss from Edinboro, 79-81.
>> Sierra Bermudez led the Vulcans in scoring with 21 points, followed by Talia Gilliard and Allycia Harris with 16 each.
>> Harris was also the top rebounder for Cal U with 14.
CAL U AT A GLANCE
Cal U has an overall record of 16-11 and a conference record of 12-8. Despite an average record, IUP has not been able to defeat Cal U, losing to them 77-63 and 69-62 this season. Cal U is averaging 71.8 PPG, and holding their opponents to 64.7 PPG. The Vulcans are shooting .401 from the field, .314 from the arc, and .639 from the line. Cal U is averaging 4.0 RPG, 12.9 APG, 17.3 TO/G, 11.6 SPG, and 3.2 BPG.
Cal U's top point scorer is senior guard, Talia Gilliard. This season, Gilliard is averaging 13.9 PPG and 3.8 RPG, all while shooting .422 from the field, .318 from the arc, and .792 from the line.
The Vulcan's top rebounder is senior forward, Allycia Harris. Harris is averaging 8.8 RPG, 10.5 PPG, and is shooting .428 from the field and .583 from the field.
LAST MATCHUP
In their most recent matchup last Wednesday, IUP was defeated by Cal U, 69-62. In their previous game, IUP led in FG% at .456 compared to Cal U's .329. IUP also led in FT%, shooting .818 compared to .750. However, Cal U led with a 3PT% of .400, and IUP only had a percentage of .111. Stat-wise, IUP dominated in every positive category except for SPG (9.0 vs. 11.6), BPG (3.0 vs. 3.2), and 3PT% (.299 vs. .314). In their recent contest, Cal U's Iyahanna Williams led in scoring with 21 points, nine of which came from 3-pointers. Harris and Gilliard followed with 11 points a piece. Harris also led the team in rebounding with 15. Strayhorn and Weaver led the Hawks with 16 points, and Wilkerson followed with 13. Weaver also led the team in rebounding. Despite a high score of 62 points, IUP only hit one 3-pointer.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
Since the opening of the KCAC in the 2011-12 season, IUP has had an outstanding home court advantage to go along with a nationally prominent basketball program.
IUP boasts a 166-31 (.846) record in home games since the venue opened, not losing more than four home games in a single season during that span. At the KCAC, the IUP women have won:
- 11 of 14 games in 2024-2025 (11-3)
-13 of 15 games in 2023-24 (13-2)
-13 of 17 games in 2022-23 & 2021-22 (13-4)
PSAC PLAYOFFS
IUP is heading into the playoffs and is sitting at fourth in the PSAC West, giving them the opportunity to host Cal U for the first round of playoffs. Since 1984, IUP has appeared in the PSAC tournament 26 times, in the PSAC West Championship eight times, and has made it to the PSAC Championship six times.
WILKERSON MAKING HER WAY
Ellie Wilkerson has started 23 of the games she has appeared in. She earned PSAC West Athlete of the Week on January 7 after her impressive performances at Daemen and Edinboro. Wilkerson posted her best performance of the season against Daemen, scoring 20 points on .643 shooting from the field with nine made field goals. For the week, she averaged 17.5 points per game, 33 minutes, and shot better than .500 from the field.
Overall, she is averaging 28.3 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and is shooting .446 from the field. She has totaled 32 steals so far this season and has recorded at least one steal in every game leading up to Gannon. She has recorded at least two steals in 10 games this season, most recently snagging four against Seton Hill. She has scored 15+ points five times this season.
A LOOK INTO STRAYHORN
Senior guard Shamia Strayhorn leads the team in MPG, averaging 34.1 minutes, placing her at 6th in the PSAC. Strayhorn is shooting .426 from the field and has contributed 103 rebounds, 56 assists, 49 steals, and six blocks to the team. Strayhorn has led the team in assists six times this season, followed by steals eight times. Her field goal percentage ranks 10th in the PSAC (.426) from 350 attempts.
WONDERFUL WEAVER
Junior forward Nyshae' Weaver has been making a name for herself this season. Weaver was named PSAC West Co-Athlete of the Week on January 4th for the third time this season and received PSAC honors for the fifth overall time this season. Weaver is leading the team with 11.3 RPG, placing her at second in the conference. On top of her rebounding, Weaver is averaging 15.3 PPG, which is the second highest on the team, and 9th in the conference. Weaver is also shooting .659 from the field, which is first in the PSAC and second in the NCAA DII. On top of her impressive PPG and RPG numbers, Weaver has tallied 13 double-doubles this season alone.
FRESH OFF THE BENCH
IUP has utilized players off the bench, including Lily Jordan and Macie Jarrett. Freshman Jordan is leading the bench in points, shooting .474 from the field and averaging 7.3 PPG. Averaging 24.3 MPG, Jordan has notched 115 rebounds, 41 assists, 19 steals, and 12 blocks. Macie Jarrett has witnessed more minutes this new year, averaging 7.5 MPG, all while averaging .467 from the field and .714 from the arc, Jarrett has posted 18 rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
Record Book Watch:
Single Game Rebounds:
1. Tricia Wareham (23) – 11/20/96 (UPJ)
2. Tricia Wareham (21) – 11/15/96 (Mansfield)
T3. Nyshae' Weaver (20) – 11/23/25 (Lock Haven) & 2/19/25 (Seton Hill)
Season Scoring Average:
19. Leslie Stapleton (16.0) – 2015-16
20. Shamia Strayhorn (15.9) – 2024-25
T21. Julie Kibler (15.5) – 1981-82
T21. Rahmena Henderson (15.5) – 2023-24
Season Field Goal Percentage:
1. Nyshae' Weaver (.659) – 2024-25
2. Karen Robatin (.605) – 1991-92
3. Beth McDonald (.590) – 2000-01
4. Nyshae' Weaver (.577) – 2023-24
Season Rebounds:
10. Julia Kibler (262) - 1981-82
11. Nyshae' Weaver (261) – 2024-25
Season Rebound Average:
1. Sherri Leysock (12.1) – 1989-90
2. Kathy Sherry (11.8) – 1976-77
3. Nyshae' Weaver (11.3) – 2024-25
Career Field Goal Percentage
1. Nyshae' Weaver (.618) – 2023-25
2. Brittany Robinson (.569) – 2015-19
FOLLOW
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB.
