Defending Atlantic Region champion Indiana (Pa.) avenged a regular-season loss to the Bobcats in impressive fashion as the No. 2-seeded Crimson Hawks rolled to their 12th straight win.
Indiana – which dropped a 73-71 decision at Wesleyan in December – led by as many as 21 points in the second half of Saturday’s rematch before the Bobcats mounted a rally.
Wesleyan trimmed the deficit to 60-54 in the final two minutes but could get no closer as IUP was able to put the game on ice from the charity stripe.
Julian Sanders was the leading scorer for the No. 21-ranked Crimson Hawks with 17 points while PSAC West Player of the Year Darryl Webb worked the paint for 14 points and 15 rebounds. Ashton Smith was 3-for-4 from behind the 3-point arc for 12 points.
Neven Zeravica had 16 points for the Bobcats, who shot just 24 percent (6-of-25) from the 3-point line. Reggie Chambers and Marquis Weddle added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Indiana will take on No. 3-seed Bowie State in Sunday’s 5 p.m. semifinal.
