PITTSBURGH — A historic season for the IUP women’s basketball team came to an end over the weekend as the Crimson Hawks fell to the Grand Valley State Lakers, 72-49, on Saturday in the Division II national title game.

Grand Valley State finished the season at 36-1 while the Crimson Hawks finished at 31-4.

Senior Nyshae Weaver and junior Teresa Maggio were named to the all-tournament team. Maggio led IUP with 20 points, while Weaver finished with eight points and six rebounds.

Grand Valley State jumped out to a 10-2 lead and maintained control throughout. IUP cut the deficit to single digits in the first quarter, but the Lakers’ length and athleticism proved difficult to overcome in a game the Crimson Hawks trailed, 41-24, at halftime.

Hollidaysburg grad Marin Miller started and played 34 minutes, finishing with four points, three rebounds and two assists. Chestnut Ridge grad Belle Bosch also started, played 20 minutes but did not score. She had two rebounds and one assist.

IUP forced 19 turnovers but converted them into just 12 points. Grand Valley State, meanwhile, turned 13 IUP turnovers into 18 points.

IUP finishes the season as national runner-up, marking the program’s best finish in school history.