The Griffins hosted another top 25 team as #17 Indiana (PA) made the trip to the McKenna Center for a PSAC West contest on Wednesday evening.
Seton Hill defeated their second top 25 team in nine days as five Griffins reached double figures in a 71-59 win. The win was the eighth straight for the Griffins as they ran their record to 14-4 overall and 8-1 in PSAC play while the Crimson Hawks fall to 10-3 overall and 4-3 in PSAC play.
For the second straight contest, the Griffins fell behind early but never panicked as they outscored the Crimson Hawks 24-14 in the second quarter.
IUP used a 6-0 run early in the first quarter as they were able to build their lead to 12-7 with 3:30 to play in the first quarter.
Christiane Frye drained a three to end the run but IUP scored the final five points of the quarter as they led 17-9 after one period of play.
Frye scored six points and
Sonia Sarda drained a three as the Griffins cut the IUP advantage to 19-17 less than two minutes into the second quarter. The Griffins were able to tie the game at 21 on two
Katie Nolan free throws with 6:18 to play in the half. The two teams exchanged the lead over the final six minutes of the half with a late layup from
Cheyenne Trest giving the Griffins a 32-31 halftime advantage.
Rena Enterline opened the second half but draining a three pointer to give SHU a four point advantage. The Crimson Hawks responded with a 6-0 run to take a 37-35 lead with 5:53 to play in the quarter. Trest answered with a layup and Enterline hit another three as the Griffins retook the lead, 40-37 midway through the quarter. After an IUP basket, Nolan hit a three and Frye added two free throws as the Griffins extended their lead to 45-39. A Nolan layup, followed by a Trest layup, followed by a Nolan three point play gave SHU a 52-41 lead late in the third. IUP scored the final basket of the quarter as SHU led 52-43.
The Griffins opened the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run to push their lead to 18 points at 61-43. Enterline scored five during the run and Sarda added the other four. After IUP scored six straight, Frye answered with a three pointer as SHU led 64-49 midway through the quarter. IUP got back to within nine points but the Griffins hit five of six free throws down the stretch to ice the game.
After a slow start defensively, the Griffins held IUP to just 39% from the floor over the final three quarters of action. SHU was also able to force 20 IUP turnovers in the contest. The Griffins shot 47% from the floor, 53% from three point land and 84% from the free throw line.
Frye led the five Griffins in double figures with a career high 20 points. Frye was 9-9 from the free throw line in the win. Nolan and Enterline each scored 13 points in the win. Trest finished with 12 points and Sarda added 11.
SHU will continue PSAC West play on Saturday evening at UPJ. Tip is set for 5 PM.
