• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Jan. 16) – The California University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team dropped a 59-47 contest against No. 23 IUP on Wednesday evening at the Convocation Center in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action.

With the loss, the Vulcans falls to 10-4 this season with a 6-4 record in league play. Meanwhile, the Crimson Hawks took sole possession of third place in the divisional standings with a 12-4 overall record, including a 7-3 mark in conference action.

Senior guard Stephanie Michael (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) led the team with 14 points behind four-of-nine attempts from beyond the arc. She has now scored in double-figures in five-straight games and 11 times this season.

Junior Kate Seebohm (Millicent, Australia/Millicent) and sophomore Chelsea McKnight (Grove City, Ohio/Harvest Prep) both finished with eight points on Wednesday. Seebohm also collected six rebounds, five assists and three steals in the losing effort. Sophomore Irina Kukolj (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) added six points and six rebounds off the bench.

Cal U opened the second half on a 9-0 run to take a 31-27 lead on a three-pointer by Michael with 17:49 remaining. The Crimson Hawks then tied the game at 35-35 before the Vulcans took a 42-39 lead with 12:39 left to play. IUP later seized control of the game with a 16-2 run to take a 55-44 lead with 5:09 remaining. After a three-pointer by Michael, both teams were held scoreless for nearly four minutes before the Crimson Hawks sealed the win with four free-throws in the final minute.

The Vulcans finished the game shooting just 27.8 percent (20-of-72) from the field and attempted a season-low four free-throw attempts. In comparison, the Crimson Hawks made 36.8 percent (21-of-57) from the floor and 76.5 percent (13-of-17) from the charity stripe. IUP out-rebounded Cal U by a 50-40 margin and committed only eight fouls.

Senior Sarah Pastorek led four Crimson Hawks in double-digits, finishing with 16 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Sophomore Marita Mathe added 10 points and nine rebounds in the victory.

Cal U continues PSAC West play on Saturday, Jan. 19, when it travels to face No. 6 Gannon at the Hammermill Center in Erie, Pa., at 1 p.m.