The last time Millersville beat the IUP women was eight years ago, in the PSAC Tournament in triple overtime. Tonight, the 13-15 Marauders and the Crimson Hawks will meet at the KCAC in the second round of this year’s PSAC playoffs.
IUP beat Millersville on January 3rd, 88-49, but Millersville has shuffled its lineup since then and has been playing well under interim coach Brett Vana, who took over in January when Kira Mowen was placed on administrative leave. On Monday, they trailed East Stroudsburg by five entering the fourth quarter, but rallied for a 64-61 win.
IUP coach Craig Carey says Millersville is loose…and dangerous.
IUP lost its last two games of the regular season to finish 23-3, and Carey is hoping that a few days off has helped them recover from their late-season doldrums. He says the Crimson Hawks know the expectations.
Tonight’s game will air on WCCS, with the pregame beginning at 5:10 and the tipoff at 5:30.
The IUP men have a big challenge in their second round …a trip across the state to take on West Chester. The Crimson Hawks are the number 3 seed from the PSAC West. The Golden Rams are the number two seed from the East. They’ve played each other once this season, with West Chester winning at the KCAC, 88-83, led by Ruben Rodriguez’s 30 points and Anthony McCall’s 25. Rodriguez is a 6-2 guard, and McCall a 6-4 guard/forward. Dallis Dillard scored 22 for IUP and Ky Merraro had 19.
West Chester outrebounded IUP, 37-27, in the game.
Coach Joe Lombardi expects a tougher battle on the boards.
Lombardi says his guards are going to have to step up in this one.
Airtime is 6:40 on 92.5 FM U92, with tipoff at 7.
