SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Indiana University (Pa.) women's basketball team jumped out to a 20-6 lead in the first quarter and never looked back in handing Slippery Rock a 95-72 defeat Friday evening in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action from Morrow Field House.
 
The Crimson Hawks came out of the gates shooting 60 percent in the opening quarter and stayed above 50 percent for the entire first half in building a 50-29 advantage at the break. Slippery Rock recovered from a slow first quarter but could never get back in the game.
 
The loss evens The Rock at 7-7 overall and 4-4 in PSAC games. Indiana remains unbeaten in conference action and improves to 10-2 overall and 8-0 in the league.
 
Lexi Carpenter led the way for Slippery Rock by scoring 27 points, passing out eight assists, making three steals and blocking one shot. The 27-point effort was just two points off of her career-high.
 
Reigning PSAC West Freshman of the Week Brooke Hinderliter continued her string of strong play with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one block.
 
Mallory Heinle and C.C. Dixon rounded out The Rock's top performers against the Crimson Hawks. Heinle went for eight points and six rebounds while Dixon chipped in six points and seven rebounds.
 
For the game, Slippery Rock shot 38.9 percent (21-of-54) from the field and 81.3 percent (26-of-32) from the free throw line. Carpenter and Hinderliter combined to go 22-of-26 from the charity stripe. Slippery Rock forced IUP into 17 turnovers while committing just 13 miscues of its own. SRU also held the advantage over the Crimson Hawks in points off turnovers (16-15).
 
Indiana (Pa.) was led by Megan Smith who scored a game-high 31 points and blocked four shots. As a team, IUP shot 54.8 percent (34-of-62) from the field, 50 percent (8-0of-16) from 3-point range and 82.6 percent (19-of-23) from the foul line.
 
Slippery Rock returns to competition Jan. 9 at No. 8 California (Pa.). Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.