CLARION, Pa. – The women's basketball team put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell to one of the top teams in the PSAC West division, dropping a 79-60 decision to IUP Wednesday night at Tippin Gymnasium.  The Golden Eagles are now 8-17 overall and drop to 8-11 in PSAC play.
 
Jordan Bekelja led the way for the Golden Eagles scoring their first nine points of the contest and tied her career-high with 19 points, while Tania Holmes joined her in double-digit scoring with 15 of her own. 
 
Despite the strong offensive show from the Golden Eagles, they were unable to control the fierce offensive attack of the Crimson Hawks.  IUP shot 31-of-61 from the field for a 50.8 field goal percentage and outrebounded Clarion by a 36-28 mark.
 
IUP controlled the action in the first half, outscoring the Golden Eagles 20-9 in the first quarter.  The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to single digits with 5:33 left in the second quarter when Bekelja ripped the ball from Carolyn Appleby and dashed down the court for a transition bucket that made it 29-21.  Holmes cut it to eight points just over a minute later with a midrange jumper of the fast break, but IUP closed on a 10-0 run to lead 45-27 at the half.
 
The Golden Eagles outscored IUP in the fourth quarter, with Amesha Harden-Pulliam coming off the bench for four points and Nicole Maxson scoring off a feed in the paint near the end of regulation.  However, the Crimson Hawks maintained the advantage and notched the win.