BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The Bloomsburg women's basketball team fell to Indiana (Pa.) 72-64 in a tightly contested Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover game at home Saturday evening.
 
The Huskies (2-4, 0-2 PSAC) played the undefeated Crimson Hawks (6-0, 2-0) tough throughout as it was a two-possession game for much of the fourth quarter, but Bloomsburg was unable to gain a lead in the second half and IUP was able to come away with the eight-point victory. 
 
Allison Hileman (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg) led the Huskies in scoring with 17 points in 28 minutes of play, and the sophomore guard was tied for a team-high three assists during her first career start. Emma Gochnauer (Strasburg, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) had a solid day on the stat sheet, finishing with 14 points on a 5-for-8 shooting night that also saw her record eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Eight of Gochnauer's 14 points came in the first half. 
 
Katelin Starr was the third and final Husky to finish in double figures, ending the game with 10 points and five rebounds. Lauren Kirsch (Palmyra, PA/Lower Dauphin) added six points and three assists in her first start of the early 2022-23 season.
 
IUP's Kiera Baughman led all scorers with 24 points and was 7-for-19 from the field. Teirra Preston finished with 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal. Maria Cerro and Alana Cardona each had 13 points as the Crimson Hawks shot 52% from the field. Cardona finished with a double-double and led all players in rebounds with 10. 
 
The Huskies started the game off on a 6-1 scoring run in the opening quarter that was capped off by an Ella Kale (Spring Grove, PA/Spring Grove) field goal. IUP would answer with a 10-0 scoring run of its own, however, to take its first lead of the game, and the Crimson Hawks would go on to maintain that lead for the remainder of the game despite the contest being close throughout. 
 
In the closing minute of the third quarter, Bloomsburg was able to make it a three-point game after Hileman knocked down a three with 13 seconds remaining to make the score 47-44 heading into the final frame. 
 
After both teams traded baskets during their first possessions of the fourth quarter, IUP went on a 9-2 scoring run to go up by 10 points with 7:02 remaining. Bloomsburg would chip into the lead and made it a two-possession game under two minutes after Hileman nailed another clutch three to make the score 66-60, but IUP was able to score on the next possession to maintain its comfortable lead. The two teams traded field goals during the next possession, then the Crimson Hawks extended their lead with free throws in the final minute.
 
Bloomsburg held several advantages on the stat sheet, including rebounds (34-25) and second-chance points (11-8). The Huskies also received some great play from their substitutions and had 24 points off the bench. IUP's five starters accounted for all 72 of the Crimson Hawks' points.
 
The Huskies will get back onto the court next Saturday with another home game. Bloomsburg is set to host Jefferson (7-1, 1-0 CACC) for a non-conference game on Dec. 10 at 12:00 PM.