Box Score
JOHNSTOWN, PA – Career nights from Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School) and Brandon Norfleet (Virginia Beach, Va. /Landstown) sent the 11th-ranked Crimson Hawks to a 91-68 victory over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference foe Pitt-Johnstown.

Souberbielle's 24 points propelled him past the 1,000 point mark for his career, giving the senior 1,014 points in his four years at IUP.

Norfleet's team-leading 25 points were a career high for the sophomore, who transferred to IUP following his PSAC East Freshman of the Year campaign at Cheyney.

The first half was close as neither team was able to get up by more than nine. The Crimson Hawks retained the lead for a majority of the first half, gaining the nine-point advantage with 13:37 to play. The Mountain Cats responded, going on a 9-0 run led by back-to-back three pointers from Nate Snodgrass and Bill Luther, to tie the game.

The two teams exchanged baskets over the next few minutes, but with just under four minutes to play, IUP again began to put on the offensive pressure. Layups from Souberbielle and Norfleet, followed by two free throws from Souberbielle, sent the Crimson Hawks into the break with the three-point advantage.

The Crimson Hawks came out hot to start the second, getting up by 11 with 17:03 to go. The Mountain Cats battled back but were never able to get within less than seven of the IUP lead.

IUP would go on a 37-22 lead to finish out the game, claiming the 91-68 win.

Norfleet led the way for the Crimson Hawks, registering 25 points, six rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals. Souberbielle added 24 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Also finishing in double figures was Mathis Keita (Thionville, France/Insep) who recorded 16 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals and Devon Cottrell (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Gateway) who added 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

The Crimson Hawks shot an astounding 95.8 percent from the charity stripe, going 23-of-24 from the line. That percentage is the second highest all-time, sitting just behind the 100 percent shot against Slippery Rock on February 18, 2014 when they went a perfect 16-of-16.

IUP outshot the Mountain Cats, finishing with a field goal percentage of 55.4, compared to 44.9 from Pitt-Johnstown. They also outrebounded the Mountain Cats 35-20 and forced 13 turnovers, committing just nine.

With the win the Crimson Hawks improve to 17-2, 7-2 on the season, in a tie with Mercyhurst for first place in the PSAC West. IUP entered the day in a four-way tie, but both Slippery Rock and Gannon fell in their respective games.

The Crimson Hawks will return home Saturday, playing host to Clarion. The Golden Eagles sit at 4-13, 2-7 on the season and in seventh place in the division. They're coming off an overtime victory over former first place Slippery Rock.

The Golden Eagles are averaging just 67.3 points per game, surrendering 75.7. They're shooting a conference low 37.6 percent from the floor and just 29.0 percent from behind the arc.

Tipoff from the Kovalchick Complex is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. IUP will then move on to host newcomer Seton Hill on February 8 for a Saturday night matchup.