IUP Uses Stifling Defense to Rally for Victory Over Gannon

Boxscore and play-by-play

IUP used a stellar defensive effort to rally from a 14-point first half deficit and post a 71-59 victory over Gannon to conclude second day action at the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Classic at Memorial Field House.

In other tournament games on Saturday, it was Glenville State 69, Clarion 39; Pitt Johnstown 77, West Chester 62; and Charleston 72, California 55.

Mame Brumbaugh led IUP (2-2) with a double-double, scoring 17 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.  Kara Taylor added 13 points and nine rebounds while also making four steals.

The Indians forced 27 turnovers and made 15 steals, including three by Jahzinga Tracey.  IUP also held a 41-37 edge on the boards.

Three players scored in double figures for Gannon (1-4), paced by Casey England with 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Christina Jackson scored 12 points and Ashley Lowdermilk had 10.  Abby Bunstine dished out seven assists.

IUP trailed 32-18 with 7:49 left in the first half before holding the Golden Knights to just 27 points over the final 27:49.

IUP went on a 26-9 run to close the first half, tying the game at 36 on a 3-pointer by Taylor with 2:12 left before the break and taking the lead on a bucket by Nina Jackson 15 seconds later.  IUP took a 44-41 lead into the locker room.

Gannon battled back to take the lead on three occasions in the second half, the last time at 53-51 on a Jackson basket with 12:15 left in the game. 

IUP then scored 10 of the next 11 points, with two hoops by Lauren Fisher sandwiched around a Brumbaugh jumper giving the Indians a 61-54 lead with 6:33 remaining.

England hit a 3-pointer to make it 61-57, but Taylor answered from behind the arc to rebuilt the lead to seven.  IUP did not see its lead shrink to fewer than six the rest of the way and finished the game on a 10-2 run over the final 5:36.

IUP will finish play in the tournament Sunday night at 8:00 against Pitt Johnstown.  The other games feature Clarion vs. Gannon (1:00), West Chester vs. Charleston (3:00) and California vs. Glenville State (6:00).