INDIANA, Pa. — The IUP women’s basketball program heads out to Ashland, Ohio for a non-conference game against the Ashland Eagles on Thursday, December 19 at 5:30 p.m.

GAMEDAY CENTRAL

IUP (9-0, 5-0) vs. Ashland (9-3, 3-1)

Thursday, December 19 – 5:30 PM – Kates Gymnasium – Ashland, Ohio

Game Coverage: Live Video (GMAC Digital Network) – Live Stats

Social Media Updates: @IUP_WBB on X (formerly Twitter)

 

TIPOFF NOTES

>> The Hawks are riding a nine game winning streak, just one of two teams in the PSAC that are still undefeated.

>> Nyshae’ Weaver was named PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week on November 25. Weaver added PSAC West Athlete of the Week honors on December 9 after she combined for 20-24 from the field for 44 points and grabbed 29 rebounds against Shepherd and West Chester.

>> The Hawks received votes in the WBCA Division II Coaches Poll and were ranked 17th in the D2CSC Media Poll. IUP sits third in the Atlantic Region behind PSAC opponents Seton Hill and Gannon.

>> The Hawks are currently averaging 73.4 PPG, 44.2 RPG, 14.7 APG, 8.6 SPG, and 3.0 BPG. IUP is shooting .470 from the field and .301 beyond the arc.

>> They hold their opponent’s average to 52.6 PPG, .333 from the field and 15.1 turnovers per game.

>> They notched a season high of 16 steals against Shippensburg, followed by 13 against Goldey-Beacom.

>> The lead scorers for the Hawks are Nyshae’ Weaver and Shamia Strayhorn. Weaver is averaging 16.8 PPG and Strayhorn is averaging 12.8 PPG. Weaver ranks 9th in the PSAC and Strayhorn ranks 20th.

>> Grace Centrulla leads the team with 12 blocks and shoots .425 from the field. Ellie Wilkerson is right behind with 12 steals and four blocks.

>> Ashland’s Zoe Miller is leading the team in PPG. Miller is shooting .548 from the field, .427 from the arc, and .625 from the line. Miller has also accumulated 82 rebounds, 25 assists, 15 steals, and one block.

>> IUP will end its busy week with a contest against Millersville on December 21 at 1:00 p.m.

 

ASHLAND AT A GLANCE / SERIES HISTORY

Ashland has an overall record of 9-3 and a conference record of 3-1 this season. Their only conference loss was against Northwood, 58-69. The Eagles are averaging 68.3 PPG compared to the 50.6 scored by their opponents. Ashland is also averaging 35.7 RPG, 18.7 APG, 16.7 TO/G, 9.7 SPG, and 3.2 BPG. The Eagles shoot .461 from the field, .350 from the arc, and .644 from the line. Their top point scorer is senior forward, Zoe Miller, who has scored 150 points so far this season. Miller shoots .548 from the field, .457 from the arc, and .625 from the line, all while contributing 6.8 RPG and 1.3 SPG. The top rebounder for the Eagles is senior forward Hayley Smith. Smith has contributed 129 rebounds this season (10.8/G). Smith also has the highest FG% on the team, shooting .596 from the field. On top of her tenacious rebounding, Smith has scored 140 points (11.7/G), assisted 35 shots, contributed 15 steals, and blocked 12 shots. 

Ashland had a very commendable season last year. The team had an overall record of 31-2, and a conference record of 20-0. Ashland’s only regular season loss came from Ferris State, 62-66. The Eagles defeated Tevecca Nazarene in the Great Midwest Championship, 99-58. Ashland advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinals but was once again defeated by Ferris State, 65-59. Seniors Zoe Miller and Hayley Smith were also top performers in the 2023-24 season. Miller scored 459 points in the season, shooting .612 from the field, .415 from the arc, and .693 from the line. Smith scored 322 points, going .589 from the field, .313 from the arc, and .645 from the line. Miller and Smith posted a combined, 414 rebounds, 95 assists, 62 steals, and 19 blocks.

This will be IUP’s 11th match-up against Ashland. The last match-up resulted in an IUP loss, 92-68, extending the Crimson Hawks to a loss streak of three against the Eagles. IUP has scored 736 points against Ashland, averaging 73.6 PPG. Their first contest was in December of 1994, and their most recent was in March of 2018 for the NCAA Semifinal.

 

GMAC GRIT

The Great Midwest Athletic Conference is composed of 13 teams from Ohio, Kentucky Michigan. The nine Ohio teams include the Ashland University Eagles, Cedarville University Yellow Jackets, University of Findlay Oilers, Lake Erie College Storm, Malone University Pioneers, Ohio Dominican University Panthers, Tiffin University Dragons, Ursuline College Arrows, and the Walsh University Cavaliers. The two Kentucky teams are the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers and the Thomas More University Saints. Finally, the Michigan teams consist of the Hillsdale College Chargers and Northwood University Timberwolves. Since 1982, the GMAC has had three teams win the NCAA DII Championship (Ashland x3) and two teams come in second place (Ashland x2). The GMAC has also witness nine teams make it to the NCAA Midwest Regionals. 

 

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE

Since the opening of the KCAC in the 2011-12 season, IUP has had an outstanding home court advantage to go along with a nationally prominent basketball program. 

IUP boasts a 163-28 (.852) record in home games since the venue opened, not losing more than four home games in a single season during that span. At the KCAC, the IUP women have won:

– 7 of 7 games in 2024-2025 (7-0)

-13 of 15 games in 2023-24 (13-2)

-13 of 17 games in 2022-23 & 2021-22 (13-4)

ALL AROUND WEAVER

Junior forward Weaver currently leads the Hawks in numerous categories and sits in the top rankings in the PSAC. Weaver was also named PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week on November 25th and was just named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week on December 9th. 

Weaver ranks 9th in conference scoring, averaging 15.8 PPG. She is second in rebounding, averaging 11.3/G. Weaver is shooting .689 from the field placing her at second place in the PSAC. Weaver has scored double-digits in six games this season, recording a season high of 26 points against Shepherd. She grabbed 14 defensive rebounds against Lock Haven and totaled 20 rebounds on the night. 

A LOOK INTO STRAYHORN

Senior guard Shamia Strayhorn leads the team in MPG, averaging 31.4 minutes, placing her at 17th in the PSAC. Strayhorn is shooting .426 from the field, second on the team. Strayhorn has contributed 30 rebounds, 24 assists, 13 steals, and two blocks to the team. 

FRESH OFF THE BENCH

IUP has utilized players off the bench throughout this season. Sixth on the team in scoring is Madison Zavasky, who is averaging 6.0 PPG, third highest average on the team off the bench. Lily Jordan is another key player off the bench, averaging 22.4 MPG. Jordan is shooting .458 from the field and is averaging 4.6 RPG. Marin Miller has posted six steals, 15 assists, 3.8 RPG, and she shoots .750 from the line.

This season, IUP’s bench has contributed: 

    – 21 of 77 steals

    – 7 of 27 blocks

    – 39 of 132 assists

    – 164 of 398 rebounds

FOLLOW

For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women’s basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_WBB