No. 8 IUP Crimson Hawks (16-2, 12-2) vs. Slippery Rock (14-4, 11-3)
Saturday, February 2, 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 PSAC West-leading IUP ran its win streak to eight Wednesday and clinched a conference playoff berth in the process with a blowout win over Lock Haven. The Crimson Hawks will face their toughest test to date Saturday against a Slippery Rock squad nipping at their heels for first place in the West. The Rock comes to town winners of five of its last six games.
LAST TIME OUT
Jr. G
Mathis Keita (Thionville, France/Insep) scored a game-high 21 points and dished 6 assists as IUP cruised to an easy 71-53 win at Lock Haven Wednesday night. Sr. G
Scooter Renkin (Midlothian, VA/Blue Ridge) added 16 points, going 4-of-8 from three-point range, while
Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School) chipped in 13 points and 8 rebounds.
HOME SWEET HOME
IUP has been dominant inside the friendly confines of the Kovalchick Complex, posting a record of 23-1 since the building opened in 2011. The Crimson Hawks are 10-0 at the KCAC this season, with their only loss coming in December of 2011 against West Virginia Wesleyan. IUP leads the PSAC in attendance this season, averaging over 1,200 fans per contest.
LOCK DOWN DEFENSE
IUP is up to its usual tricks on the defensive end this season, leading the conference in scoring defense. The Crimson Hawks allow just 58.0 points per game and are 3rd in the PSAC in forced turnovers, tallying 16.8 takeaways per contest. IUP will be tested against a Slippery Rock team with talent at both ends of the floor.
BACKCOURT MATES
Wells and Renkin have shouldered the scoring load for the Crimson Hawks in recent weeks, averaging 12.5 and 11.7 points per game over their last six, respectively. Both players average 2.9 assists per contest this season and have been tenacious on the defensive end, tallying over 20 steals apiece.
NATIONAL POLLS
The Crimson Hawks jumped another spot in the latest NABC Division II Poll this week, moving up to 8th after winning their seventh straight game Saturday. The ranking is IUP's highest ranking since March 6, 2012, when the Crimson Hawks were ranked 10th. IUP and rival East Stroudsburg are the only PSAC teams to be featured in the polls, while undefeated Metro State claims the top spot in the rankings for the second consecutive week.
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 139-61 at IUP.
