GAME 35 NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

(2) IUP (31-3) vs (1) Grand Valley State (35-1) 
Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 5:00 p.m
Pittsburgh, Pa | UPMC Cooper Field House

Stream: ESPN Plus with Brendan Gulick and Kelly Burke
Radio: U92.5 FM with Jack Benedict and Tony Coccagna

THE GAME AT A GLANCE
The third time proved to be the charm as the Crimson Hawks broke through the national semifinals for the first time in the program's third Final Four appearance. IUP will look to bring home the department's first team national championship in its first trip to the title game.

IUP defeated Colorado Mesa behind a balanced scoring attack, with three players scoring at least 17 points, including two with 20 or more. The Crimson Hawks held all but two Mavericks players scoreless until the 3:49 mark of the third quarter.

The Crimson Hawks are the first PSAC team to reach the national championship game since California (Pa.) in 2015.

TIPOFF NOTES
>> This marks the first appearance in the NCAA championship game for IUP women's basketball and the first trip to a national championship for any IUP team since the men's basketball program in 2015. The Crimson Hawks are seeking not only the program's first national title but also the department's first team national championship.
>> IUP's defense has been pivotal during the Elite Eight, as the team has recorded 27 total steals over its last two games. Teresa Maggio leads the way with 11 steals in that span, including a program NCAA Tournament record of nine against Holy Family.
>> This will be the first time in program history that IUP faces Grand Valley State.
>> In three seasons at IUP, Nyshae Weaver has played in 84 games for the Crimson Hawks. After Thursday's game against Colorado Mesa, Weaver has scored in double figures in 73 of those 84 games, an 87% clip.
>> IUP's pressure defense on the perimeter has been sharp in Pittsburgh, as the team has allowed just eight 3-pointers on 41 attempts — a 19.5% clip.
>> The offense came alive against Colorado Mesa, as the Crimson Hawks scored 75 points, much closer to their season average of 77.5 than their output against Holy Family. The 57 points scored against Holy Family marked IUP's third-lowest total of the season.
>> IUP is the first team to play for a national championship in its home state since Ashland University athletics did so in 2017. The home of IUP basketball, Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, sits just 56 miles from UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, the site of the championship game.

GRAND VALLEY STATE AT A GLANCE
Grand Valley State is making its second consecutive trip to the national championship, looking to repeat as champion. The defending champs are GLIAC champions and have won 124 consecutive games.

The Lakers are led by head coach Mike Williams, who is in his 15th season as a head coach and 11th at Grand Valley State. Williams was named WBCA Coach of the Year.
Grand Valley State has an average scoring margin of 27.9 points, scoring 79.8 points per game while allowing just 51.9.

The Lakers have three starters averaging double figures, including WBCA All-American Paige VanStee. VanStee averages 15.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game and has 75 steals this season.

SERIES HISTORY
This is the first meeting between the two programs.

D2CCA ALL-REGION
Shae Weaver was named PSAC Athlete of the Year and D2CCA All-Region. She ranks third in the nation in field goal percentage and leads the team in scoring, rebounds and assists. Weaver became a member of IUP's 1,000-rebound club on Feb. 21 against Clarion. She is just the third player in program history to reach the milestone.

PSAC WEST COACH OF THE YEAR
Head coach Craig Carey was named PSAC West Coach of the Year in his fourth season leading the Crimson Hawks. Carey has won 93 games in his first four seasons, including a career-high 31 this year. He guided IUP to a 7-1 record against ranked teams this season and a 16-1 mark at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.

TAKING THE COOKIES
IUP's defense has fueled its run to the national championship game, with the team recording 28 steals over two games. The pressure on opposing ball handlers has been intense, and the total ranks among the top five in a two-game span for IUP this season.

A PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE
The IUP women's basketball program has reached three Final Fours, but this season marks the first time it has advanced to the national championship game. Since 2018, no other program has appeared in the Final Four more often than IUP, which made it in 2018, 2019 and 2026.

TAKING OUR CHANCES
Colorado Mesa relied heavily on Olivia Reed and Mason Rowland, who combined for 61 of the team's 70 points against IUP. The rest of the Mavericks were held scoreless until the 3:49 mark of the third quarter. In contrast, IUP had seven players score, including three with 15 or more points.