Box Score
INDIANA, PA – For the second time in as many games, the sixth-ranked Crimson Hawks posted a second half surge to knock down their opponent, this time defeating Bloomsburg 63-53.

Led by Jeremy Jeffers (Wilson, N.C./Greenfield School)' 14 points, the Crimson Hawks shot 55 percent from the floor in the second half, on their way to their 13th straight win of the season.

The game was close from the start with neither team taking more than a four-point advantage through 10 minutes of play.

Up by three with 9:40 to go in the half, Jeffers sank a layup, continuing a 9-0 run that would give the Crimson Hawks the eventual seven-point lead.

Bloomsburg rallied, as Lorenzo Christmas drained a three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining, cutting the IUP lead to two. The two teams exchanged baskets and the Crimson Hawks took a three-point lead into the break.

The Huskies came out strong in the second half, sinking a layup and a three-pointer to take the two-point advantage. They carried that momentum through the first four minutes of the half, getting up by as much as seven.

The Crimson Hawks, however, showed their resilience, going on a 7-2 run, led by Mathis Keita (Thionville, France/Insep), to cut the Huskies' lead to two. Bloomsburg would again begin to pull away, going up by six with 11:23 remaining.

The nation's sixth-ranked team showed their dominance from there on out, going on a 23-7 run that would give them the 10-point advantage. 

Both teams exchanged baskets, but the Huskies were never able to close on the IUP lead, and the Crimson Hawks would eventually claim the 63-53 victory, their 13th straight to open the season.

This is IUP's best start since 1994-95, when they won 21 straight contests to open the season. That team finished with a record of 29-2, won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and the East Region, and made an appearance in the NCAA Final Four.

Jeffers led the way for IUP, registering 14 points, two rebounds, one block and one steal. Coming off the bench, Devon Cottrell (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Gateway) recorded 13 points, two rebounds, one block and three steals.

Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School) finished with 10 points, his fourth straight game with at least 10 points, adding a team-high six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Devante Chance (Philadelphia, Pa. /Electrical & Technology Charter) also added seven points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal.

As a team the Crimson Hawks shot 44.4 percent from the floor, going 11-of-20 in the second half, compared to 9-of-25 in the first. However, they failed to capitalize from behind the arc with Jeffers sinking the only three ball of the game. They shot just 7.7 percent (1-of-13) from three-point range.

The Crimson Hawks defense was again stellar, holding the Huskies to just 53 points. Heading into the game, Bloomsburg was averaging 70.6 points per game. This is the eighth time this season IUP has held its opponent to under 60 points, as they boast the nation's No. 1 scoring defense, allowing just 57.2 points per game.

IUP will hit the road and return to divisional play Saturday, heading to Mercyhrust. The Lakers are the only other PSAC West school to boast a perfect record in conference play, and the winner of the game will be in sole possession of first place in the division.

With a record of 7-6, 3-0, Mercyhurst is riding a two-game win streak, defeating Cheyney and Millersville in crossover action. They're averaging just 64.6 points per game, but are giving up just 61.9.

Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. from Mercyhurst Athletic Center in Erie, Pa.