INDIANA, PA – Devante Chance (Philadelphia, Pa. /Electrical & Technology Charter) finished with 19 points and 10 assists and Jeremy Jeffers (Wilson, N.C./Greenfield School) scored a career-high 18 points to lead 25th-ranked IUP to an 88-73 victory over visiting Pitt-Johnstown on Wednesday night.
 
It was Chance's third double-double of the season as he finished 6-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. His assist total tied a career-high and he had just two turnovers in 39 minutes on the court.
 
Jeffers also went 6-of-11 and made 4-of-6 three-point attempts, adding a season-high eight rebounds in 28 minutes.
 
The Crimson Hawks shot 50.0 percent from the floor, making 32 of their 64 shots, and turned it over just 10 times as they improved to 16-3 overall and 10-3 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). They remain in third place in the competitive PSAC West behind Gannon and Mercyhurst.
 
UPJ falls to 9-8 overall and 6-7 in the league. The Mountain Cats are sixth in the division.
 
Although the game was tight throughout, the Crimson Hawks never allowed UPJ to hold the lead as they jumped on top early. IUP scored the game's first seven points and held onto that lead on a layup by Chance to make it 17-10 with just under 13 minutes to play in the first half.
 
UPJ cut the IUP lead to one a few minutes later, but the Crimson Hawks went on a 15-5 run, getting six consecutive points by Chance to take a 32-21 lead with five minutes to play. The difference remained 11 heading into the break as IUP held a 38-27 halftime lead.
 
Two early baskets by Daddy Ugbede (San Mateo, Calif./Serra) in the second half put IUP on top by 15 at 42-27, but UPJ clawed back, cutting the lead to single digits on several occasions until midway through the half.  
 
Holding a 67-59 lead, the Crimson Hawks reeled off nine straight points, opening up the game and cruising to a 15-point win.
 
A total of five Crimson Hawks scored in double-figures, with Ugbede scoring 16 points, Brandon Norfleet (Virginia Beach, Va. /Landstown) adding 14, and Tevin Hanner (Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill) coming off the bench to score 10.
 
A.J. Leahey led the Mountain Cats with 19 points.
 
The Crimson Hawks hit the road on Saturday as they head to Clarion to face the Golden Eagles (6-10, 4-9). Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.