The Rocket

Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Steve Reed Rock senior post player Nijha McNeely pump fakes an Indiana University of Pennsylvania defender during Wednesday night's 71-59 loss at Morrow Field House. McNeely had four points and three rebounds in 13 minutes of play. [Click to enlarge]

Pride.

That is what the SRU women are playing for right now.

Having been eliminated from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoff race, all the Rock (7-17 overall, 1-8 PSAC) can do now is attempt to build some momentum heading into the 2008-09 season.

Those attempts were put on hold Wednesday night when archrival and nationally ranked Indiana University of Pennsylvania (23-2, 8-1) handed the Rock its seventh straight loss, 71-59.

Despite the losing streak, the Rock had a chance to beat the Crimson Hawks in front of an excited home crowd, most of the whom were sporting the "White Out IUP" T-shirts, which were given out to the first 250 students in attendance.

Unfortunately for those fans, the team continued its trend of only playing one quality half of basketball.

The first half was what killed the Rock's chances for victory.

The Rock didn't register a basket in the first four minutes of the game, falling behind by an 11-0 margin before getting on the scoreboard.

IUP used a smothering half-court trap that led to three SRU turnovers in the first two and a half minutes.

"Our problem this season is that our turnovers seem to come in spurts," said Coach Laurel Heilman. "Unfortunately, those turnovers came at bad times for us tonight."

The Rock couldn't find its rhythm offensively in the first half, missing a number of open chances. SRU trailed 34-15 at the half.

SRU shot only 39 percent (9-for-23) in the first half and went 0-for-7 from behind the arc.

After the half, however, the Rock's shots began to fall.

Continued...

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