December 10 - Indiana University of Pennsylvania claimed the first 15s national championship in program history Sunday, coming back to beat the University of Memphis, 27-19, at SaberCat Stadium in Houston, TX. In the third-place match, Vermont defeated the University of Northern Iowa, 32-12. 

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For IUP, the win marks the third national championship in two years. The Crimson Hawks claimed the last two 7s national titles and were 15s runners-up in 2022.  

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Memphis raced to an early 12-0 lead on the back of two Conor Dempsey tries. The Tiger flyhalf finished off a long team score in the corner, and created the next one all by himself, grubbering and regathering in the try zone from just five meters out. 

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IUP retorted with two scores of their own to draw level just before halftime. Lucas Maasikas dotted down the first, and the second came after multiple efforts were rebuffed. A few phases after the second penalty in the attacking end, loosehead prop Cam Taylor smashed over from short range to draw level going into halftime. 

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Memphis fought through misfortune and injury woes in the second half, with Dempsey going out with injury very early. Shortly after the sub, the Tigers regained the lead through a long-range try from wing Tyler Rogers. 

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He was shown a yellow card for leaving his feet in the ruck, the first of three Memphis cards in the last 40 minutes. Tiger No. 8 Harry Hagan was sent off a few minutes later for a high tackle, leaving Memphis down two men. 

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IUP capitalized on the power play, scoring two tries in quick succession. IUP fullback Dom Holmes, awarded finals MVP, dotted down the first off a short pick-and-go. Trent Stalling scored the second in the 63rd minute, capping off a long drive from IUP. Tighthead prop Hayden Kovalick punched in the final score before picking up a yellow card in the waning minutes.

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