IUP downs Cal women in PSAC final
In a game of runs, Indiana University of Pa. had the final one as the Crimson Hawks rallied from a 6-point halftime deficit to defeat California University of Pa., 63-53, to win the PSAC women’s basketball championship hosted by Millersville University. Indiana (22-8) earns the automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Tournament. California (21-9) must await word to see if the Vulcans will receive an at-large bid into the eastern regional.
The announcement of who will host the Eastern Regional as well as which teams will be extended at-large invitations will come today.
An 8-point run pushed Indiana into its first lead since the first half at 45-43, and, behind the offensive presence of tournament MVP Jahzinga Tracey, continued the run for a 51-43 lead with 4:28 remaining.
California remained close, but wasn’t able to close the gap as the Crimson Hawks won their second PSAC title, the first since 1988.
Indiana sprinted out of the gate for an early 16-4 lead, but the Vulcans scored 21 of the final 25 points of the first half for the 30-24 lead at the halftime break.
Tracey led all scorers with 20 points and finished with a double-double with 12 rebounds. Staci Herberling was also in double figures for Indiana with 16 points.
Kim Nowakowski had another double-double for California, scoring 11 points to go with a game-high 20 rebounds, including 15 defensive boards. Lindsay Johnson led the Vulcans with 14 points.
Cal shot just 19-for-61 from the floor for 31.1 percent