The IUP basketball teams split a doubleheader last night at Edinboro, the women losing and the men coming up with a win.
The women were beaten, 71-61, failing to overcome the Edinboro trapping defense and turning over the ball 19 times. IUP was out-rebounded, 36 to 28, and the Scots outscored the Crimson Hawks 32-16 in points off turnovers and second chance points off the glass. Justina Mascaro led IUP with 21 points, going 9-of-12 from the field with two three-pointers. IUP is 18-7 and 12-7 in the PSAC. They’re in fourth place in the PSAC West.
Earlier in the day, the Hawks debuted at number eight in the initial NCAA Division Two Atlantic Region rankings.
Coach Tom McConnell says the women did not handle the Edinboro trap well.
The IUP men scored an 83-71 win in the nightcap of the doubleheader. Armoni Foster scored 32 points and had eight assists. The Crimson Hawks took a ten-point lead into the second half but Edinboro trimmed it to two early in the second half and to one with 6:20 left. IUP then went on a 13-4 run to build the lead back up. Dave Morris scored 14 for IUP, Ethan Porterfield 12, and freshman Tomiwa Sulaimon had a double-double, with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
IUP climbed to 23-2 on the season, and 17-2 in the conference. They’re on top in the PSAC West, two games up on Mercyhurst after the Lakers dropped UPJ, 70-58 last night. IUP can clinch at least a share of the West regular season title.
Coach Joe Lombardi says he’s trying to keep the Hawks fresh as they approach the postseason.
IUP is the number one seed in the first NCAA Atlantic Region rankings, which were released yesterday. Both teams return to the KCAC for their final three doubleheaders of the season, starting with Seton Hill on Saturday.
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