Top-seeded and host IUP withstood a hot-shooting third quarter from Seton Hill to rally past the No. 4 Griffins, 94-87, on Saturday night in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region women’s basketball semifinals.
IUP (28-3) advances to the regional championship at 7 p.m. Monday to play No. 3 Winston-Salem (28-3).
IUP built a 51-35 lead in the second quarter before Seton Hill (22-9) stormed back to go ahead 70-64 late in the third.
The Griffins, who played without injured starter Hailee Ford (knee), shot 13 of 17 from the field in the third when they outscored the Crimson Hawks, 31-15. They made 5 of 7 3-pointers in the frame.
But IUP did enough in the fourth to earn its third win of the season over the Griffins and advance as Nyshae’ Weaver finished with 25 points (10 for 14 field goals) and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Teresa Maggio added 20 points.
Helene Cowan scored 29 in her final game for Seton Hill, making 10 of 18 shots, including 4 of 7 3s.
Mia Kalich added 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, Emma Fisher scored 13, Hallie Cowan added 12 (4 3s), and Shaye Bailey, who started in place of Ford, scored 12.
IUP took advantage of a turnover as Marin Miller hit a jumper to make it 90-84 with 1:46 to play in the fourth.
Helene Cowan made a 3 to get the Griffins to within 90-87 with 51.4 seconds left.
Miller grabbed her own rebound with 16.9 seconds to play before Ellie Wilkerson made two free throws for a 92-87 edge with 12.5 seconds.
The teams combined for 23 3-pointers. Seton Hill made 13 of 26, IUP 10 of 16.
Miller (15 points) and Wilkerson (14) also scored in double figures for IUP. Wilkerson had eight assists.
IUP made 14 of 16 free throws, Seton Hill 12 of 14.