Rock drops 71-59 decision to nationally ranked IUP

Sandra Busser and Dana Stewart each scored 12 points for SRU (7-17 overall, 1-8 PSAC-W)

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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Four Rock players scored double digits in The Rock's 71-59 loss Wednesday night to PSAC-West rival Indiana U. of Pa.

Sophomore guard Sandra Busser scored a team-high 12 points to go along with six assists on the night. Dana Stewart also scored 12 points, Haley Gaidosh and KellyAnn Staudinger followed right behind with Gaidosh adding 11 points and Staudinger adding 10 points.

Amanda Nero played a full 40 minutes and had eight points and seven assists on the night. The Rock only dressed nine players and all nine saw considerable amounts of playing time as no one played under 13 minutes.

The Crimson Hawks improved their overall record to 23-2 and 8-1 in the PSAC West. With the win, IUP sits a game and half up on Clarion for the PSAC Western Conference Championship.

The loss drops SRU to 7-17 overall, and 1-8 in the PSAC Western Division.

The Crimson Hawks jumped out to an 11-0 lead to start the game as The Green and White would not score their first basket until KellyAnn Staudinger ended the run at the 15:41 mark with a jumper.

IUP's, Jahzinga Tracey had a game high 18 points, as Kylie Miller and Hillary Shope each contributed 14 points.

The quick start by IUP would be too much for SRU to recover from, as The Crimson Hawks would take a 34-19 lead into the half.

The Rock would start the second half on a 19-11 run to cut the IUP lead to seven, making the score 45-38 at the 11:46 mark.

The Green and White would go on a five-minute scoring drought, as IUP would take a 55-38 lead at the 8:20 mark, with Dana Stewart ending the run with two foul shots.

The Rock would battle back going on a 14-4 run cutting the score to 59-52 with 4:53 left in the game.

SRU would come to with-in six of IUP with 56 seconds left in the game. That would be as close as The Rock would get as The Crimson Hawks converted their foul shots to make the final score 71-59.

SRU would be hindered by turnovers the entire game. The Green and White would commit 20 on the night stalling their efforts to put together consistent runs.

The Rock travels to Shippensburg for division game Saturday and visits California next Wednesday before closing out its 2007-08 schedule with a March 1 home game vs. Clarion.

March 1 will be Senior Day as The Rock will honor their four seniors: KellyAnn Staudinger, Nijha McNeely, Dana Stewart and Kara Spagnola in their last game wearing the Green and White. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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