No. 9 IUP Crimson Hawks (13-2, 9-2) at Edinboro Fighting Scots (10-5, 6-5)
Wednesday, January 22, 2013 | 7:30 PM
McComb Fieldhouse | Edinboro, PA
Complete Game Notes (.PDF)
LIVE COVERAGE
Listen:
RedZoneMedia.com (WQMU 92.5 FM)
Stats:
GoFightingScots.com
AT A GLANCE
The PSAC West-leading Crimson Hawks look to improve their win streak to six games against a tough Edinboro squad on their home floor Wednesday. IUP hopes to remain perfect against divisional opponents this season, while the Fighting Scots' high-powered offense could propel them to an upset victory.
LAST TIME OUT
Sr. G
Anthony Wells (Cleveland, OH/Shaker Heights) scored a season-high 19 points and dished three assists as the Crimson Hawks cruised to a 71-55 win over Clarion Saturday evening. Jr. F
Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School) had the hot hand early and finished with 13 points, while Jr. G
Mathis Keita (Thionville, France/Insep) chipped in 12 points, four assists and a game-high eight rebounds. Jr. C
Blake Vedder (Chesterland, OH/West Geauga) was the fourth IUP player to post double-figures, netting 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
BACK TO THE WELL
After a slow start to the 2012-13 campaign, Wells has found the shooting touch in recent weeks, averaging 15.3 points per game over his last four. The senior logged career-highs in minutes and points against Clarion, and is the only Crimson Hawk to start in every game this season.
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 57.5 points per game and are 3rd in the PSAC in field goal percentage defense, forcing opponents to shoot just 38.3% from the field. IUP will need to be at its best to Wednesday in order to slow down a Fighting Scots offense that leads the conference in scoring offense (79.6) and three-point field goals (6.9).
NOT BY CHANCE
So. G
Devante Chance (Philadelphia, Pa. /Electrical & Technology Charter) has continued his development into one of the best young guards in the conference this season, averaging 8.4 points and 3.7 assists per game off the bench. The sophomore tallied five helpers and a pair of steals against Clarion Saturday.
NATIONAL POLLS
The Crimson Hawks made a dramatic move in the latest NABC Division II Poll this week, jumping up seven spots to 9th after winning their fifth straight game Saturday. The ranking is IUP's highest ranking since March 6, 2012, when the Crimson Hawks were ranked 10th. IUP remains the only PSAC team to be featured in the polls, while undefeated Metro State takes over the top spot for the first time this season following a loss by previous No. 1 West Liberty.
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 136-61 at IUP.
