RELEASE DATE: 12/03/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mounties Drop Heartbreaker at Home -- Uhrich Records Third Consecutive Double-Double

Box Score

MANSFIELD – The  Mountaineer women's basketball team fell just short of becoming the first squad in school history to start the season 5-0 as they dropped a heartbreaker 69-64 to IUP in the final minute of the game on Sunday afternoon at Decker Gymnasium.

Mansfield got another outstanding performance from senior Jessica Uhrich who led the team with her third consecutive double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds.

IUP started the first half on a hot shooting streak to open the game 5-0 in the first two minutes before expanding the lead to as much as 15 points during the half. The Indians shot 56.3% from the floor including 6-of-7 from the 3-point arc. The Mountaineers battled back to close the half trailing 43-36.

After the break, the Mountaineers would take advantage of a cold streak for the Indians, closing to within two points at the 10:00 mark on a 3-pointer by Mallory Hafer to make the score 50-48.

IUP would rebuild their lead to seven before the Mountaineers went on a 7-0 run sparked by a Jessica Uhrich layup with 3:21 to go. Uhrich finished the run with two free throws to tie the score at 62-62 with just over 2:00 to play.

IUP added two free throws from Jahzinga Tracey but Uhrich responded with another layup to tie to score at 64-64 with 1:39 to play.

The Indians would take the lead 66-64 with :37 seconds remaining. IUP pulled down three straight offensive rebounds to keep the ball until Katie Glaws was fouled with 13 seconds remaining. Glaws went 1-for-2 on the line as Uhrich rebounded the missed free throw with the score 67-64 and 10 seconds on the clock but the Mounties lost possession.

Tracey added two more free throws with :02 seconds left to seal the victory 69-64 for the Indians.

Mansfield was led by senior Jessica Uhrich who recorded her third consecutive double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Mallory Hafer added 15 points as she went 5-of-7 from the 3-point line while Clarissa Correll added 11 points. Jeanette Meacham pulled down 10 rebounds for the Mounties.

Mansfield shot 45.8% from the floor and 42.9% from the 3-point line while IUP was 38.8% from the field after shooting 22.9% in the second half. The Indians were 57.1% from the 3-point line.

With the loss, Mansfield falls to 4-1 on the season while IUP moves to 4-3 overall.

The Mountaineer women are back in action on Thursday, December 14th when they host Post University in a 7:00 pm tipoff at Decker Gymnasium.