Sports > November 13, 2008

By Joe Maugeri | Staff writer

The women’s basketball team closed out preseason competition with an 87-45 win over the Crimson Hawks of Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Nov. 7 at the LJVM Coliseum.

The victory over the Crimson Hawks ends the women’s basketball team’s preseason with a perfect 2-0 record, which includes a Nov. 3 win over Lenoir-Rhyne. IUP was able to keep the score close in the opening minutes of the contest. With 9:21 remaining in the first half of the game, the Deacons led IUP 19-12.

The tight score would be short lived as the Deacons would go on a 25-7 run to close out the half, leading IUP 44-19. The Deacons were led in scoring by senior Corrine Groves, who netted 28 points. Groves added to her night by pulling in eight rebounds for the Deacons.

Sophomore Brittany Waters had a strong showing for the Deacons, scoring 11 points and hauling in six rebounds.

The Deacon bench also proved to be productive in the victory over the Crimson Hawks.

Junior Courteney Morris and the freshman duo of Brooke Thomas and Secily Ray each logged more than 17 minutes off of the Deacon bench and combined to score 24 points.Of the 24 points coming from the Deacon bench, Ray scored 11 of them in a little over 17 minutes of playing time.

Junior Sarah Riddle had a strong showing down in the paint and contributed to the win with six points and six rebounds through nine minutes of play.

The women’s basketball team shot 54.9 percent from the field and edged IUP in rebounds 38-29. The Deacons’ defense forced 34 turnovers during the contest. The Crimson Hawks, who are ranked No. 11 in the USA Today/ESPN Division II preseason poll, were led by sophomore Eryn Withers’ 12 points.

Both teams were plagued by second half foul trouble. The Deacons entered into the double bonus only six minutes into the second half. IUP was not able to take advantage of this, shooting only 40 percent from the charity stripe. The Deacons converted 70 percent of their free throws.

The Deacons will begin their regular season when they host UNC-Greensboro at home at 7 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the LJVM Coliseum