No. 16 IUP Crimson Hawks (12-2, 8-2) vs. Clarion Golden Eagles (4-10, 2-8)
Saturday, January 19, 2013 | 7:30 PM
Kovalchick Complex | Indiana, PA

Complete Game Notes (.PDF)

LIVE COVERAGE
Watch: NMTVSports.com (IUP-TV)
Listen: RedZoneMedia.com (WQMU 92.5 FM)
Stats: IUPAthletics.com

AT A GLANCE
The Crimson Hawks return home winners of four straight thanks to a gutsy 70-68 win over California on the road Wednesday. IUP sits in a tie atop the PSAC West standings, but the Crimson Hawks will need a strong performance against a tough Clarion team in order to keep their win streak alive.

LAST TIME OUT
Sr. G Scooter Renkin (Midlothian, VA/Blue Ridge) scored a team-high 16 points as the Crimson Hawks hung on for a 70-68 win over rival California Wednesday. The Vulcans had a chance to win at the buzzer after a missed IUP free throw, but the shot bounced off to preserve the Crimson Hawks fourth consecutive victory.

NOT BY CHANCE
Chance has continued his development into one of the best young guards in the conference this season, averaging 8.6 points and 3.6 assists per game off the bench. The 5-10 sophomore has been impressive on the glass in recent games, grabbing over four rebounds per game over his last four. Chance tallied a game-high seven assists against California and committed just one turnover.

LOCK DOWN DEFENSE
IUP is up to its usual tricks on the defensive tricks this season, leading the conference in scoring defense. The Crimson Hawks allow just 57.6 points per game and are 3rd in the PSAC in field goal percentage defense, forcing opponents to shoot just 38.7% from the field.

COMING OUT PARTY
Fr. F Devon Cottrell (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Gateway) posted a career day against Shippensburg Friday, tallying a career-high 14 points and five rebounds, all on the offensive end. Cottrell has served as a rim protector for the Crimson Hawks this season, notching 11 blocks. The redshirt-freshman netted six points and hauled in four rebounds against California.

NATIONAL POLLS
The Crimson Hawks sit in 16th in the latest NABC Division II Poll, moving up 5 spots after going 2-0 last weekend. IUP remains the only PSAC school in the top 25 and appear in the poll for the seventh straight week, while Atlantic Region foe West Liberty maintains the top spot.

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. Lombardi has a career record of 135-61 at IUP.