Complete Game Notes (PDF) / PSAC Weekly Release

No. 13 IUP (15-3, 12-2) vs. Gannon (10-8, 8-6)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 / 7:30 p.m.
Hammermill Center / Erie, PA

Live  Stats - GannonSports.com
Live Audio - RedZoneMedia.com
Live America One Broadcast - B2LiveTV.com

AT A GLANCE
The vaunted IUP defense will once again be tested this week when the Crimson Hawks take on a Gannon squad that boasts one of the conference's best offensive attacks. The Golden Knights are oustanding at sharing the ball and getting to the basket, but the Crimson Hawks have been shutting down opposing offenses all season long.

LAST TIME OUT
Jr. C Danny Ayebo's tip-in with just three seconds left in the game sealed a dramatic 63-62 win over Slippery Rock in PSAC West action Saturday. Ayebo had just four points in the game, but his opportunistic play would be the signature moment in a gutsy performance by the Crimson Hawks.

The Rock seemingly had the game in hand late with a one-point lead and possession of the ball with just 10 seconds remaining, but an errant in-bound pass was stolen by Sr. G Julian Sanders (Medford, NJ/Shawnee), who was able to get a good look at a game-winning jumper. Sanders' shot rimmed out, but Ayebo was right there to tip in the rebound and give IUP a one-point lead with three seconds to play. Slippery Rock's final chance was interrupted by So. F Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School), whose steal secured the victory for the Crimson Hawks.

Sr. G Ashton Smith (Scarborough, ON/West Hill Collegiate) led the way for IUP with 24 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Sanders had 19 points and five boards. Jr. C Josh Wiegand (Whiteford, MD/John Carroll) chipped in eight points and nine rebounds, and Souberbielle added six points, four rebounds and a game-high four steals.

NATIONAL POLLS
The Crimson Hawks have jumped three spots to 13th in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches/Division II Men's Basketball Poll. IUP made the jump from 16th after sweeping a pair of conference games last week.

THE ALL-TIME LEADER
At 301 for his career, Sr. G Julian Sanders (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) is the only player in IUP history to have eclipsed 300 three-pointers made in a career. He passed Jason Bullock (92-96) for first place on the all-time three-pointers made list earlier this season, and  is averaging over 3 long-balls per game this year.

THE IUP ASSISTS CHART
Sr. G Ashton Smith (Scarborough, ON/West Hill Collegiate) is in 3rd place on the IUP all-time assists chart with 417 for his career. Smith is just 8 dimes away from passing Eddie Peterson (02-06) for 2nd place on the list, while Mont Mattocks' (66-70) career mark of 450 is the most in program history.

CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Both Smith and Sanders are also making their way up the IUP all-time scoring list. Sanders is in 7th place on the chart with 1,466 career points, while Smith is right behind in 8th place on the list with 1,449 points. Joe DeLise (50-51, 55-58) is in 6th place with 1510 points for his career, while Darryl Webb (Elkridge, Md./Long Reach) (07-11) is IUP's all-time leading scorer with 1949 career points.

OFF THE BENCH
IUP boasts a trio of players in Fr. G Devante Chance (Philadelphia, Pa. /Electrical & Technology Charter), Jr. C Danny Ayebo and So. F Kevin Jones (Washington, DC/Bishop O'Connell) who have helped the Crimson Hawks bench to outscore opponents 310-245 this season, including a 27-point output by the bench against Lock Haven. Ayebo was the hero of the Crimson Hawks' win over Slippery Rock with his go-ahead tip-in in the game's closing seconds.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME
The Crimson Hawks have been excellent on the road this season, compiling a 6-1 record away from Indiana. IUP was 5-0 on the road before falling to Mercyhurst in Erie two weeks ago.

WINNING WITH DEFENSE
The IUP defense has stifled opponents this year, allowing just 60.9 ppg, which best in the PSAC. The Crimson Hawks have been oustanding at forcing opposing teams into bad shots, holding opponents to just 40.3% shooting from the field.

TOP FROSH
The smallest player on the IUP roster, Chance has made a big impact on the Crimson Hawks this season. He is 3rd on the team in scoring (6.6 ppg) and is also 3rd in assists (2.6 apg). Chance also leads the team in steals, averaging 1.4 per game this year.

STAT STUFFER
Jr. G Anthony Wells (Cleveland, OH/Shaker Heights) has done it all for the Crimson Hawks this season, filling up his individual stat line each night. He leads the team in assists (3.3 apg) and is 2nd in rebounding, pulling down 4.4 boards per game. Wells also chips in 5.8 ppg and is 3rd on the team with 19 steals this season.

JUST MARCEL
So. F Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School) has flourished in his first year as a starter for the Crimson Hawks, averaging 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Souberbielle set a career-high with 10 points against Kutztown and had the go-ahead putback with :04.2 left in a 66-65 win over ESU.

THE BIG MAN
Jr. C Josh Wiegand (Whiteford, MD/John Carroll) has been a force on the glass for IUP this season, ripping down a team-high 4.8 rebounds per game. Wiegand is 6th on the team in scoring (5.5 ppg) and has been excellent at protecting the rim on the defensive end of the floor, recording a team-high 14 blocks.

FROM DOWNTOWN
The Crimson Hawks are the best three-point shooting team in the PSAC this season, making 37.4% of their attempts. Individually, Sanders is 4th in the conference in 3PT% (44.4), while Smith is close behind in seventh (43.5). IUP makes just under six three's per game as a team.