Box Score

INDIANA, PA - Anthony Wells (Cleveland, OH/Shaker Heights) scored a career-high 17 points, adding eight rebounds and seven assists while Ashton Smith (Scarborough, ON/West Hill Collegiate) dropped in 20 points as No. 13 IUP used tough defense to cruise to a 67-49 win over second place Mercyhurst in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division men's basketball showdown at the Kovalchick Complex on Saturday night.

Wells was solid from the opening tip Saturday, pouring in four quick points as the Crimson Hawks raced out to a 16-6 lead in the early stages of the first half. The Lakers would respond, however, going on a 10-0 run over the next four minutes to knot the game at 16-16 with 8:06 to play in the period. The Mercyhurst run was highlighted by back-to-back three's from Steven Coleman and Jonathan Ouegnin.

IUP would regain the lead moments later when Julian Sanders (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) nailed a three-pointer from the corner, and extend the lead on four points from Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School) and a powerful slam by Josh Wiegand (Whiteford, MD/John Carroll). The Crimson Hawks lead grew to as much as 11 when Wells drilled a three-pointer and Danny Ayebo splashed in two freethows, but Luis Leao would halt the surge with a jumper to pull the Lakers within nine with under a minute to play.

Wells would push the lead back up to 11 with a pair of freebies with 25 seconds left, and Smith would finish out a strong first half for the Crimson Hawks with a streaking layup as the final seconds of the first half ticked away to give IUP a 36-23 lead at the break. Smith had six points in the first half, while Wells chipped in nine points, five rebounds and four assists.

The IUP intensity would not let up in the second half, attacking the rim and scoring with ease in the paint. Sanders, Devante Chance (Philadelphia, Pa. /Electrical & Technology Charter) and Kevin Jones (Washington, DC/Bishop O'Connell) all sliced inside for layups to help the Crimson Hawks build their lead. With just under nine minutes to play in the game, Wells drilled two gigantic three-pointers to give IUP its largest lead of the game at 53-34.

With the Crimson Hawks in control and looking cruise to an easy victory, Mercyhurst began to claw back into the game. Bill Weaver converted a layup-and-one to cut the lead to 16, and Ouegnin followed suit with a three-point play of his own just moments later to trim the lead to 13. After a pair of IUP free throws bumped the lead back to 15, Coleman nailed a deep trey to shrink the the Crimson Hawks lead to just 12 with five minutes left in the game.

The Lakers would not get any closer, however, as Wells found Smith for a three-pointer to give IUP a 62-47 lead with exactly 4:00 minutes to play and send Mercyhurst packing. Smith was 7-of-12 from the field for his 20 points, and added six rebounds and three assists. Sanders chipped in 10 points and six boards for the Crimson Hawks.

Coleman led the way for Mercyhurst with 13 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Matt Lee had 12 points and seven boards. Ouegnin finished with 11 points and five rebounds.

The Crimson Hawks (18-4, 15-3) are back in action this Wednesday when they travel to Edinboro. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.