Box Score

ERIE, PA – Heading into the game with a perfect 14-0, 4-0 record, the fifth-ranked Crimson Hawks fell victim to the Gannon Golden Knights, dropping the overtime contest 67-61. 

Unable to connect on a field goal in the overtime period doomed the previously unbeaten Crimson Hawks, as Mathis Keita (Thionville, France/Insep) put up the only points in extra play, sinking two pairs of free throws.

Keita led the way for IUP, scoring 21 points and adding six assists, five rebounds and one block.

Gannon was hot early on, taking a 10-0 lead to start the game. IUP responded, going on a 15-8 run to get within three. The two teams would exchange baskets, but the Keita and Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School) sunk three quick baskets to give IUP the three-point advantage at the half.

The Golden Knights started the second half much like the first, quickly reclaiming the lead following a pair of free throws and two field goals.

Trailing by three, Devante Chance (Philadelphia, Pa. /Electrical & Technology Charter) sunk a three ball, tying the game and giving the Crimson Hawks the momentum. Souberbielle added a layup and two free throws and IUP held a four-point advantage with 15:38 to go.

The two teams would again exchange baskets with neither one able to gain a solid advantage. A layup from Jeremy Jeffers (Wilson, N.C./Greenfield School) and free throw from Souberbielle gave IUP a three-point lead, but back-to-back three pointers from Gannon reversed the advantage.

With IUP up by two with 2:23 to go, Girbran Smith made a pair of free throws, tying the game at 55-55. Jeffers sunk a layup with 1:34 to go and IUP made a defensive stop, forcing a Gannon timeout with 1:17 to play and IUP leading by two.

Gannon's leading scorer, Adam Blazek, made a clutch play, draining a jumper with 40 seconds to go, tying the game at 57-57 and putting the ball in the Crimson Hawks' hands.

Keita missed a three-pointer with five seconds left, but Cornell Yarde II (Reading, Pa. /Schuylkill Valley) grabbed the offensive rebound, giving IUP life. With just under one second to go, Yarde tossed up a last minute layup but couldn't connect, sending the game into overtime tied 57-57.

In the overtime period, Keita got to the line early on, draining two free throws to give IUP the 59-57 lead. Gannon would respond, sinking a layup and again tying the game.

Keita got to the line again with 2:47 to go, sinking both free throws and giving IUP the 61-59 advantage. That would be all the scoring for the Crimson Hawks in the five minute overtime period, as they were unable to connect on any field goals.

The Golden Knights added eight more points in the overtime and claimed the 67-61 win, handing IUP its first loss of the season.

Keita led all Crimson Hawks with 21 points, six assists, five rebounds and one block. Fellow senior Souberbielle added 16 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Jeffers finished with nine points, three rebounds and one assists while Chance added eight points, three assists, one block and four steals before fouling out in overtime.

As a team, the Crimson Hawks shot 37.3 percent from the floor, 38.10 percent in the first half, 44.0 percent in the second and 0.00 in the overtime period. Gannon went 47.1 percent in the game, going 45.0 percent in the first, 46.15 percent in the second and 60.0 percent in overtime.

With the loss, the Crimson Hawks fall to 14-1, 4-1 on the season, in a tie for second place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West with Slippery Rock (13-4, 4-1).

The men return home to host West rival California Saturday at the KCAC. The Vulcans enter the game with a record of 7-9, 2-4), riding a one game winning streak, defeating Clarion in their last competition. The Vulcans are averaging 64.9 points per game, but are surrendering 66.9.

Tipoff from the KCAC is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.