No. 18 IUP Crimson Hawks (6-1, 2-1)
vs. Bloomsburg Huskies (2-5, 0-3) & Mansfield Mountaineers (1-4, 0-3)
Tuesday & Wednesday, December 18 & 19, 2012 | 7:30 PM
Kovalchick Complex | Indiana, PA

Complete Game Notes (.PDF)

LIVE COVERAGE
Listen: RedZoneMedia.com (WQMU 92.5 FM)
Stats: IUPathletics.com

AT A GLANCE
The Crimson Hawks look to  head into the holidays on a high note with a pair of wins against PSAC East opponents Bloomsburg and Mansfield this week. The Crimson Hawks are riding a two-game win streak after dropping their first game of the season on the road, while the Huskies and Mountaineers are hoping a win on the road will kickstart their conference seasons.

LAST TIME OUT
Sr. G Scooter Renkin (Midlothian, VA/Blue Ridge) tallied a career-high 25 points, including 16 in the second half as the Crimson Hawks downed Gannon 72-65 in Erie last Saturday. Locked in a tight battle midway through the second half, Renkin would take over, depositing 10 consecutive points to give IUP a 60-50 lead with just over six minutes to play in the game.

VETERAN PRESENCE
Renkin has been huge for the Crimson Hawks since returning to the lineup in late November, averaging 13.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. The redshirt senior has upped his career highs in points, minutes and assists, and helped IUP to a 4-1 record in his five games this year.

LOCK DOWN DEFENSE
IUP is up to its usual tricks on the defensive tricks this season, ranking 3rd in the conference in scoring defense. The Crimson Hawks allow just 60.7 points per game and are 4th in the PSAC in field goal percentage defense, forcing opponents to shoot just 38.8% from the floor.

GRAND JOUEUR
Jr. G Mathis Keita (Thionville, France/Insep) has been one of the best players in the PSAC this season, ranking in the top 15 in scoring (15.7 ppg), field goal percentage and assists. Keita's 4.6 helpers per game are good for 3rd in the conference, and his 55.1% shooting from the floor is a big reason the Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC in field goal percentage as a team (49.7%).

NATIONAL POLLS
The Crimson Hawks have climbed four spots and are ranked 18th in the latest NABC Division II Coaches' Poll. IUP slipped dramatically in the polls following its loss to Cheyney, but responded with a pair of impressive wins against West Chester and Gannon last week. The Crimson Hawks the only PSAC team to be featured in the rankings this week, while Atlantic Region foe West Liberty claims the top spot in the country and garners 12 first place votes.

THE HEAD COACH
Joe Lombardi (Youngstown State, '81) enters his seventh season as the head coach of the IUP men's basketball program after leading the Crimson Hawks to a third consecutive PSAC regular season title and an appearance in the NCAA tournament for a fourth straight season in 2011-12. Prior to his time with the Crimson Hawks, Lombardi served as an assistant coach at Saint Francis (PA), Lasalle, and the University of Pittsburgh.