GameDay Central
No. 7 IUP Crimson Hawks (20-2, 10-2 PSAC West)
vs. Gannon Golden Knights (15-8, 10-3 PSAC West)
Saturday, February 15, 2014 | 7:30 p.m.
Kovalchick Complex | Indiana, Pa.
Complete Game Notes (.pdf)
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AT A GLANCE
In search of their seventh straight victory, the Crimson Hawks play host to the Golden Knights of Gannon, seeking redemption against their early-season loss. IUP enters the game with a record of 20-2, 10-2 and ranked seventh in the country. They are first in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West and have rattled off six straight victories over conference opponents. Gannon sits in second place in the conference with a record of 15-8, 10-3. They are also on an upswing, having won four straight and nine of their last 10.
THE SERIES
This is the only all-time series against a conference opponent in which IUP does not have the advantage. With the win on January 15, the Golden Knights hold a 19-18 advantage over the Crimson Hawks. IUP has won eight of the last 10 matchups, including a PSAC tournament victory. The last time Gannon swept the season series was during the 2008-09 season.
LAST TIME OUT
In the last meeting between these two teams, the Golden Knights handed the then fifth-ranked Crimson Hawks their first loss of the season, claiming a 67-61 overtime victory. With 40 seconds to play, and down by two, Gannon's Adam Blazek hit a jumper to tie things at 57-57. A three ball from Sr. G
Mathis Keita (Thionville, France/Insep) didn't connect with five seconds to go and a missed last second jumper from R-Fr. G
Cornell Yarde II (Reading, Pa. /Schuylkill Valley) sent the game into overtime. In bonus time, the Crimson Hawks were 0-of-5 from the floor with their only four points coming from free throws from Keita.
M&M FOR MVP
It's already been quite the year for senior leaders Keita and Sr. F
Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School). Both average just shy of 16 points per game and have nearly identical stats. The duo leads or is near the top in nearly every major offensive and defensive category and have had seven 20+ point games.
HOT STUFF
The Crimson Hawks have been dominant in their last four, claiming 20+ point victories in all four, including a 38 point margin against California (Pa.). Things are clicking on all cylinders for the nation's seventh-ranked team on both sides of the ball. In the last four, the Crimson Hawks have shot 57.4 percent from the floor and are averaging 83.8 points per game. They've committed an average of just 11.8 turnovers per game and have held opponents to just 56.8 points per game.
SCOUTING GANNON
It will be a defensive struggle in the KCAC on Saturday as the Golden Knights bring in the conference's second-best scoring defense, allowing just 59.4 points per contest. Gannon hasn't allowed more than 56 in any of its last four games, all wins. Jr. G Adam Blazek is the main offensive threat for the Golden Knights, as he's the only player on the team to average double-figures (15.7 ppg). He owns a 40.3 3FG% and a 88.0 FT% and enters tonight just 7 points shy of 1,000 for his career.
CRIMSON HAWKS BY THE NUMBERS
|
58.0 |
IUP's scoring defense this season, good for first in the nation. |
|
7 |
IUP's national ranking, moving up two spots from the No. 9 spot. They're in the top 10 for the third time this season. |
|
37.6 |
The average field goal percentage of IUP's opponents, a defensive mark that is good for first in the conference. |
|
26.3 |
IUP's three-point field goal percentage defense, tops in the PSAC. Opponents have connected on just 103-of-391 shots from behind the arc. |
|
1,856 |
The average home attendance in each of IUP's 11 home games this season, tops in the PSAC and more than 900 ahead of second place Gannon. |
|
50.6 |
The field goal percentage of Sr. G Mathis Keita (Thionville, France/Insep), good for ninth in the PSAC. He's connected on 121-of-239 shots from the floor. |
|
4.4 |
The average number of assists from Jr. G Devante Chance (Philadelphia, Pa. /Electrical & Technology Charter) this season, second in the conference. |
|
46 |
The number of conference victories IUP has had since the 2010-11 season, tops in the PSAC. |
|
3 |
The number of PSAC championships the Crimson Hawks have won in the last four years. |
