No. 11 IUP Crimson Hawks (18-3, 14-3) vs. California Vulcans (9-12, 8-9)
Wednesday, February 13, 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
IUP bounced back from a tough home loss to Gannon last Wednesday with a win at Clarion over the weekend, but the Crimson Hawks will once again be tested at home this week by PSAC West rival California, a squad that has won three of its last four games.

LAST TIME OUT
Sr. G Scooter Renkin (Midlothian, VA/Blue Ridge) poured in a game-high 19 points and dished six assists as the Crimson Hawks got back on the winning track with a 65-54 win over Clarion Saturday. Jr. G Mathis Keita (Thionville, France/Insep) chipped in 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go along with five rebounds, while Sr. G Anthony Wells (Cleveland, OH/Shaker Heights) finished with 11 points and five boards.

UNSELFISH PLAY
Much of the Crimson Hawks' success this season can be attributed to their ability to share the basketball. IUP leads the PSAC in assists with 15.6 per contest, while So. G Devante Chance (Philadelphia, Pa. /Electrical & Technology Charter) and Keita rank 5th and 6th in assist-to-turnover ratio, respectively.

HOME SWEET HOME
IUP has been dominant inside the friendly confines of the Kovalchick Complex, posting a record of 24-2 since the building opened in 2011. The Crimson Hawks are 11-1 at the KCAC this season, with their only loss this season coming at the hands of Gannon last week. IUP leads the PSAC in attendance this season, averaging over 1,400 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 57.3 points per game and are 3rd in the PSAC in field goal percentage defense, forcing opponents to shoot just 39.0% from the field. IUP will look to disrupt the rhythm of the sharp-shooting Vulcans, who rank 2nd in the conference in field goal percentage (45.5%) and three-point percentage (38.6%).

NATIONAL POLLS
The Crimson Hawks slipped slightly in the latest NABC Division II Poll this week after losing their first game in over a month Wednesday. IUP fell four spots to11th, while the team that defeated the Crimson Hawks, Gannon, moves into the polls for the first time at 17th. PSAC East foe East Stroudsburg is ranked 9th, while Metro State (CO) claims the top spot for the fourth 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 141-62 at IUP.