Women win overtime thriller over PSAC-rival Cal U

The Crimson Hawks (18-6, 13-5) pulled away late in overtime to secure a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division win against rival California, Wednesday, 59-51, at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.

Picking up their second straight win since falling at home to West division-leading Gannon, the Crimson Hawks seem to be getting used to playing physical, intense games. 

The win over Cal marks the first time that Indiana University of Pennsylvania has swept the Vulcans during the regular season since 1998-99.

“Any time we play Cal, it’s a big game,” Head Coach Jeff Dow said. “Tonight was a big win, especially considering we beat them twice in a season for the first time since 98-99.”

What helped the Crimson Hawks hang around, and then eventually pull away, was the fact that they took advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line, knocking down 20-of-26 attempts, good for 77 percent. 

“We did a tremendous job from the line,” Dow said. “Tonight, it helped us offset our struggles from the field. 

“We made them pay from the line.”

For IUP, Lindsay Stamp led all scorers, finishing with 16 points, 14 of which came in the second half. Stamp came up one rebound shy of a double-double, pulling down nine rebounds. Ashley Stoner recorded her second double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and pulling down 12 rebounds, seven of which were offensive rebounds.  

“Lindsay did a great job of being aggressive tonight,” Dow said. “We encouraged her to drive to the basket and stay aggressive and she did that very well tonight.”

Looking to remain one of the best three-point shooting teams in the PSAC, the Crimson Hawks struggled from beyond the arc for most of the game, finishing just 3-of-13 from three-point territory. Marita Mathe, one of the best three-point shooter for the Crimson Hawks, knocked down 2-of-5 three-pointers, helping her finish with 12 points and six rebounds. 

Both teams started out very sluggish, as both teams shot just 33 percent from the field in the first half. The Crimson Hawks would take a 21-20 lead into the break.

Defense was a big playmaker in the low-scoring first half.  The Vulcans’ Elena Antonenko was a huge factor in the defensive zone, altering several shots and setting the tone on the glass. Antonenko finished with eight points, 13 rebounds and a game-high five blocks.