IUP Explodes in Second Half to Overcome Clarion and Inch Up PSAC West Standings

Boxscore and play-by-play

IUP scored the first 15 points of the second half to overcome a 39-38 deficit, and the Indians moved into a tie for second in the PSAC West with an 86-75 win over Clarion Saturday night at Tippin Gymnasium.

IUP (15-6, 4-2) is tied for second in the division with Edinboro, which lost to Shippensburg.  IUP and Edinboro are two games behind 6-0 California in the PSAC West standings.

IUP began the week fifth in the NCAA Division II East Region rankings.

With the win, Cindy Martin tied Carolyn Thompson with the most wins by a first-year IUP head coach.  Thompson had a record of 15-11 in 1981-82.  Martin can hold the mark by herself if IUP can win at Lock Haven on Monday.

Jahzinga Tracey had her third straight double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds while adding four assists.  She shared the team scoring lead with Mame Brumbaugh, who finished with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Kylie Miller and Siarra Cornelius both came off the bench to score in double figures.  Miller had 15 points while Cornelius had the first double figure scoring game of her young career with 11.

Melba Melton led Clarion (10-11, 1-5) with 19 points and five assists.  Ashley Grimm hit all six of her field goals, including five 3-pointers, and scored 17 points.  Jessica Albanese added 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

IUP dominated on the boards, outrebounding Clarion by a 49-35 margin.  IUP had 26 offensive rebounds and committed only 10 turnovers, enabling the Indians to squeeze off 80 field goal tries to just 58 for the Golden Eagles.

A 3-pointer by Leah Shrift gave Clarion its one-point lead at the half, but that would be the last points the Golden Eagles would score until IUP had a substantial working margin.

Tracey had consecutive baskets in the opening 1:07 of the second half to put IUP in front to stay.  A basket and free throw by Cornelius made it 49-39, and a jumper by Brumbaugh capped the uprising with 16:02 left in the game, making the score 53-39.

Katrina Greer momentarily stopped the bleeding wtih two free throws, but Kara Taylor answered with a 3-pointer.  A layup by Miller ended what turned out to be a 24-4 run that left IUP in front 62-43 with 12:55 remaining.

Clarion made one attempt to throw a scare into the Indians, going on a 7-0 run that cut a 15-point IUP cushion to 73-65 with 4:32 left.  Brumbaugh hit baskets both times the Golden Eagles got within eight to help preserve the win.

The game at Lock Haven on Monday begins the second trip through the PSAC West for IUP.  Tipoff is set for 6:00.