No. 7 IUP Crimson Hawks (17-2, 13-2) vs. Gannon Golden Knights (17-4, 11-4)
Wednesday, February 6, 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
A calendar change to February brought much of the same for IUP, as the Crimson Hawks notched their ninth straight win to take a strangehold on first place in the PSAC West. IUP welcomes 2nd place Gannon into the KCAC in what will be a battle of the top two defenses in the conference.

LAST TIME OUT
Trailing by one with under three minutes to play in the second half, the Crimson Hawks ripped off seven straight points to salt away a 55-49 win over rival Slippery Rock Saturday. Sr. G Scooter Renkin (Midlothian, VA/Blue Ridge) nearly posted a triple-double on the evening, finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Sr. G Anthony Wells (Cleveland, OH/Shaker Heights) tallied a team-high 14 points, while So. G Devante Chance (Philadelphia, Pa. /Electrical & Technology Charter) added 11 points in 30 minutes of the bench.

THE CLOSER
Renkin has been the go-to Crimson Hawk late in games this season, delivering in the clutch on several occasions during IUP's win streak. He notched the Crimson Hawks final four points in a 57-54 win over Mercyhurst and put away Slippery Rock with a layup and a tough contested jumper in the game's waning moments Saturday.

HOME SWEET HOME
IUP has been dominant inside the friendly confines of the Kovalchick Complex, posting a record of 24-1 since the building opened in 2011. The Crimson Hawks are 11-0 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 1,400 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 57.5 points per game and are 3rd in the PSAC in field goal percentage defense, forcing opponents to shoot just 38.8% from the field. Wednesday will showcase the PSAC's top two defensive units, as Gannon ranks 2nd in scoring defense (58.5 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (38.5%).

NATIONAL POLLS
The Crimson Hawks jumped another spot in the latest NABC Division II Poll this week, moving  up to 7th after winning their ninth straight game Saturday. 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 third 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 140-61 at IUP.