ERIE, Pa. – Sophomore guard Dante Lombardi (Indiana, Pa./The Kiski School) scored a game-high 19 points and dished out seven assists, helping lead sixth-ranked IUP men's basketball to a 72-62 victory at Gannon on Saturday afternoon.
 
The win extended the Crimson Hawks' lead in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division to three games over Gannon.
 
The top two teams in the division came into the day just two games apart, with IUP improving to 19-2 overall and 14-1 in the league. Gannon is now 13-6 and 11-4.
 
The win was the 10th in a row for the Crimson Hawks, who also ended Gannon's eight-game win streak.
 
IUP fought through an afternoon of foul trouble, with all eight players collecting two personal fouls while the Crimson Hawks were called for 25 as a team. Senior forward Devon Cottrell (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Gateway) was effective before fouling out, tallying 15 points and tying a career-high with five blocks in 27 minutes.
 
The Crimson Hawks countered their foul trouble with shooting efficiency, going 24-of-48 from the field and 12-of-16 from the foul line, while connecting on 12 three-pointers.
 
Lombardi made four of those treys, while fellow guards Anthony Glover (Toledo, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit), Ayron Hutton (Virginia Beach, Va./Cape Henry) and Malik Miller (Farrell, Pa./Farrell), and forward Blake Danielak (Georgetown, Tex./Liberty Hill), netted two apiece.
 
IUP has now beaten Gannon in each of the last four meetings, sweeping two straight season series'.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks return to the friendly confines of the Kovalchick Complex next week to host Mercyhurst (8-10, 6-8 PSAC) on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP Men's Basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPMens_Bball.