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IUP PULLS AWAY FROM GOLDEN EAGLES

INDIANA – IUP used a 15-2 second-half run to build a 1-point lead to a 14-point advantage on its way to a 68-60 win over visiting Clarion Wednesday night at Memorial Field House.

Clarion (7-15 overall, 2-6 PSAC-West) had used a 6-0 run between 13:58 and 12:12 to cut a 7-point IUP lead to a single point – 40-39 – on a basket by Ashley Grimm.

But the Crimson Hawks (16-6, 6-1) scored the next seven points finalized by a three-pointer from Katie Glaws to kick start the 15-2 run that expanded the lead to 55-41 with 5:13 to play.

The Golden Eagles answered with an 11-3 run to cut the lead to 58-52 on April Gratton’s lay-up with 1:13 to play, but IUP hit 8 of 10 free throws in the final 1:07 to seal the victory.

The game was tight throughout the first half with IUP scoring the game’s first six points before Clarion answered with a 9-0 run to take a 9-6 lead with 12:19 left in the half.

The Golden Eagles still led by three, 11-8, with 11:47 to play before IUP went on a 9-0 run to take a 17-11 lead with 9:14 left.

Clarion then cut the Crimson Hawk lead to two at halftime – 29-27 – on a Katrina Greer three-pointer with three seconds left in the half.

Greer led Clarion with 12 points including three triples, while Grimm had 11 points and seven assists giving her 22 helpers in her last three games, all on the road. Jessica Albanese chipped in with eight points and 10 rebounds, while Gratton had 10 points and six boards.

Jahzinga Tracey paced IUP with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Glaws had 16 points and Hillary Shope nine.

Clarion returns to action Saturday when it hosts Shippensburg at 1 p.m. The game, which can be heard on 91.7 FM in Clarion and on the Internet at www.redzonemedia.com, is an NCAA Sponsored “Take a Kid to the Game” day. All kids 12 and under get in free for both the women’s game and the men’s game to follow at 3 p.m.