The IUP basketball teams are both in the PSAC Final Four after quarterfinal action last night.
The IUP men were playing their third game in five days, and it required a cross-state trip to West Chester, but the Crimson Hawks still pulled out a win. Jack Benedict has the story.
West Chester was playing without star guard Ruben Rodriguez, who scored 30 points when the Golden Rams beat the Crimson Hawks by five in January. IUP won despite West Chester holding a 44-35 rebounding edge, 20-12 on the offensive glass. The Golden Rams had several looks at the hoop in the closing seconds, including a three-pointer by Luke Boyd that IUP’s Ian Herring blocked into the stands with .9 seconds left.
For the IUP women, it was a romp over Millersville at the KCAC. Mark Bertig has the recap.
Coach Craig Carey says IUP put it together offensively after recent struggles.
IUP has been hit with a rash of illnesses and nagging injuries. Carey says the rest after Saturday’s loss to Gannon helped.
The coach says Teresa Maggio set the tone offensively, and that helped her teammates find their offensive games.
The PSAC West teams dominated the East, setting up a Final Four weekend in Erie for both the men and women.
In the men’s bracket, Seton Hill nipped Millersville, 77-75. Cal easily handled Shepherd, 81-56. Top-ranked Gannon destroyed East Stroudsburg, 104-73. IUP will play Gannon on Saturday at 5 on 92.5 FM U92. Seton Hill and Cal will follow.
In the women’s bracket, Edinboro defeated Lock Haven, 68-57. Gannon knocked off Bloomsburg, 66-56. Seton Hill topped Kutztown, 79-54. The women’s Final Four will happen Saturday afternoon at Gannon, with IUP playing Edinboro at noon and Gannon and Seton Hill squaring off at 2:30.
The PSAC Final will be at 12:30 Sunday for the women, and at 3:30 for the men.
The IUP women slipped to number two in this week’s Atlantic Region rankings. The men dropped to number six.
