The Slippery Rock women’s basketball team (6-20, 3-13 PSAC-West) ended their 2013-14 season with a loss to the IUP Crimson Hawks (17-9, 8-8 PSAC West) in what could very well be SRU head coach Tanya Longo’s last game here at Slippery Rock.
IUP claimed their final regular season win by a score of 75-48 at the Morrow Field House.
The Rock faced a 25 point deficit at halftime.
“I thought we moved the ball well,” IUP first year head coach Tom McConnell said. “I thought we had good player and ball movement. We were able to get some good shots out of the gate.”
The Crimson Hawks have not lost to Slippery Rock since the 2006-07 season.
After only 11 minutes of play, the Crimson Hawks held a 25-5 lead.
IUP outscored SRU in the paint 42–16 and out-rebounded the Rock 47–33 with 22 points coming off of turnovers.
“They are an extremely versatile team,” SRU head coach Tanya Longo said. “Last time they scored a boatload of points from the perimeter. They took what the defense gave them tonight.”
Slippery Rock shot 32 percent (17 of 53) Wednesday night with a 41 percent (7 of 17) shooting efficiency from behind the arc. Sophomore Megan Hardimann attempted and scored four 3-point shots Wednesday.
Junior D’Asia chambers led SRU and earned her 10th double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds, both game highs. Hardimann added 14 points, five rebounds and sophomore Aidan Geise tallied 7 points and 7 rebounds.
“Our young players have a great understanding of what it takes to be successful and doing it as well,” Longo said.
Usual offensive and defensive contributor senior Jazmyne Frost was held to only six points in the game.
“If you’re gonna have any success against Slippery Rock you have to keep her in check,” McConnell said. “We wanted to know where she was at and challenge her. She definitely had our attention.”
Wednesday night’s game was the last for two SRU seniors; Frost and Katie Rathman.
Frost ends her 2013-14 season averaging 13.7 ppg, 7.7 rebounds per game and a .471 shooting percentage.
“During my time here I learned it isn’t always about winning the game,” Rathman said.
Rathman earned her way onto the dean’s list at SRU during all eight semesters of her student athlete career.
“Both Katie and Jasmine have been steady consistent all around team players. They bring it every day and always stay positive,” Longo said. “We are certainly going to miss them.”
The Crimson Hawks had a slightly more successful night from the field. They shot 41 percent (28 of 68) yet fell behind SRU slightly from behind the arc shooting 29 percent (5 for 17).
There is a chance that coach Longo may not be returning to coach SRU next season.
Her husband Phil Longo, former SRU offensive coordinator, accepted the offensive coordinator position at Sam Houston State University, requiring a significant relocation to take the job.
Longo has one year left on her contract, as noted by Rockathletics.com, but she has not commented on if she will return next season to coach the team.
If Longo does not return for another season, she leaves SRU with a record of 19-85 during her four year tenure.
