For the second time in three years, the Indiana University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball team is the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champion.
The Crimson Hawks topped Kutztown 72-57 in the tournament title game Sunday afternoon at Kutztown University.
Kutztown, the top seed from the PSAC East, led 22-9 after the first quarter. But IUP rallied with a 20-10 advantage in the second quarter before starting to take control after halftime.
The Crimson Hawks, the No. 1 seed from the PSAC West, improves to 26-3 on the season and advances to the NCAA Division II Tournament’s Atlantic Regional set for this weekend at a site to be determined.
IUP topped Seton Hill (67-53) and Bloomsburg (85-57) on the way to the title game. It made the run after losing two of three to close out the regular season.
Carolyn Appleby, a senior guard from Greensburg Central Catholic, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. She scored 26 points to lead the Crimson Hawks in the title game, shooting 8 of 12 from the field and 11 of 13 from the free throw line.
Lauren Wolosik (North Catholic) and Natalie Myers (Burrell) each added 12 points, while Brittany Robinson contributed 11, and Lexi Griggs (Vincentian) scored nine.
