Burrell grad Natalie Myers filling stat sheet for IUP

In her three-plus seasons as a basketball player at the collegiate level, Natalie Myers hadn’t had the type of game she produced in the IUP women’s basketball team’s 65-54 victory over Salem on Nov. 27.

The Burrell graduate and senior guard for the Crimson Hawks scored a career-best 26 points, including six 3-pointers, and grabbed 11 rebounds in the nonconference victory.

“Every game is different, and you always hope to do your best to help your team win,” Myers said. “That game, (Salem) pressed a lot, so my teammates did a good job of finding me when I was open on the wings. I was able to knock down some shots. It was a great win for the team.”

The IUP women are off to another solid start overall and in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play. The team, No. 11 this week in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division II rankings, improved to 9-1 overall and 4-1 in the conference with Friday’s 91-76 victory at Shepherd (W.Va.). Myers tallied 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the victory.

Myers has been a big part of what she calls a team-first attitude among the players.

“We push for everyone to contribute on both ends, but there are days where people are going to score more points than others or get more rebounds and things like that,” said Myers, who is averaging 13.6 points a game and is the team leader in both offensive rebounds for the season (28) and total rebounds per contest (7.5).

She owns a team-leading 28 3-point field goals (51.9%). That percentage also is at the top of the list for the entire PSAC.

“We just encourage each other every day. We feed off each other, and that helps with our success,” said Myers, who scored in double figures in seven of the team’s first nine games.

She began the season with 22 points in a win over Davis & Elkins (W.Va.) and followed it up with a 16-point effort against West Virginia Wesleyan.

Her impact also has been felt on the defensive end, where she fronted the squad with 14 steals in the 10 games.

“Defense is something we’ve focused a lot on in practice and we’ve seen a lot of consistency with in games,” Myers said. “It’s something we know we can rely on. We always make sure we stick to our defensive principles because when our offense is struggling, our defense can get the offense going.”

While Myers said her on-court role in terms of production has increased this season, her second with the Crimson Hawks after transferring in from Youngstown State, she said she also appreciates and understands the elevated role as a leader on and off the court.

That includes keeping the team grounded and focused.

“I always try to lead by example and practice really hard. I try to stay humble and never get too high or too low because it’s such a long basketball season,” Myers said. “You’re going to have some ups and downs, but you just have to stay the course and just keep on improving every day.”

IUP coach Tom McConnell said Myers’ impact on the team can’t be overstated. He recalled her efforts last year in helping the Crimson Hawks to a 30-4 overall record, an 18-3 mark in the PSAC and a trip to the NCAA Division II national semifinals.

“When Natalie came in last year, she blended her many gifts beautifully with the team,” he said. “I don’t think we would’ve had the season we did or advanced as far as we did without her. She was such a key player for us. What is gratifying for me is to see her now as a go-to player and leader who we count on each night to help the team in so many ways, from scoring to rebounding and her defense. She puts a consistent passion for the game on display every day.”

IUP returns to action Saturday with a conference matchup at Shippensburg.