INDIANA, Pa. — The Indiana (Pa.) women's basketball team returns to the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex on Wednesday looking to bounce back as it hosts California (Pa.) in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
The Crimson Hawks are coming off their first loss of the season, a one-point road setback at Clarion. Despite the defeat, IUP placed four players in double figures in scoring and remained among the PSAC's most balanced teams on both ends of the floor.
IUP has been dominant at home, not suffering a loss at the KCAC since Feb. 22, 2025. Under head coach Craig Carey, the Crimson Hawks own a .742 winning percentage, which ranks second in program history behind former head coach Tom McConnell.
The Crimson Hawks enter the matchup ranked second in the PSAC in both scoring offense and scoring defense. IUP is averaging 79.4 points per game while allowing just 53.7, producing a league-best scoring margin of plus-25.6 that also ranks third in Division II.
Nyshae' Weaver leads IUP with 15.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, while also ranking second on the team with 30 steals. Ellie Wilkerson has provided a recent scoring spark, scoring 15 or more points in three of the last four games, including a 27-point performance against Millersville on 9-of-10 shooting and 5-of-5 from 3-point range. Teresa Maggio, a transfer from Mount Vernon Nazarene, leads the team in minutes played at 26.5 per game and anchors a deep rotation.
California (Pa.) enters the contest with a 9-12 overall record and a 5-6 mark in PSAC play. The Vulcans have dropped five of their last six games, most recently falling 74-61 at Slippery Rock. Junior guard Kennedy Bankett leads Cal with 14.7 points per game while shooting 53.1 percent from the field.
Defensively, the Vulcans are paced by Kimaya Williams and Alicia Young, who have combined for 96 steals and 25 blocks this season.
California (Pa.) leads the all-time series 56-38, though IUP earned a narrow 58-57 win in the most recent meeting to advance to the PSAC quarterfinals. In that contest, Weaver recorded a double-double and added five steals.
Rebounding and depth have been key strengths for the Crimson Hawks this season. IUP averages 40.4 rebounds per game and allows a PSAC-best 26.2, while 11 players average double-digit minutes as Carey continues to rely on a balanced lineup.
