INDIANA, Pa. – Four Crimson Hawks scored in double-figures as ninth-ranked IUP men's basketball had its best shooting night of the year in a 93-68 win over visiting Lock Haven Friday night at the Kovalchick Complex.
It was a rebound victory for the Crimson Hawks as they improved to 10-1 overall and 5-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play heading into their divisional schedule next week. IUP suffered its first loss of the season in its final action of 2019 and came back with its fifth 20-plus point win of the year.
Lock Haven dropped to 4-6 overall and 1-5 in PSAC play with the loss. It was the Bald Eagles' biggest loss of the year, with the preceding five all by six points or fewer.
After falling behind 10-6 at the first media timeout, the Crimson Hawks soared back with a 16-1 run over the next 4:18 to take a 22-11 lead. Freshman forward
Ethan Porterfield kickstarted the run with his first of four 3-pointers on the night. He added another trey as did junior guard
Shawndale Jones as IUP hit 6-of-11 shots to take the double-digit lead.
IUP later went on an 11-2 run to increase its lead to 21 points at 42-21 with 2:43 to play in the half. The Hawks eventually went into the break with a 15-point lead. Porterfield had 13 points at the half while Jones had 11 in 15 minutes off the bench.
The Crimson Hawks put on a clinic in the second half, shooting 70.0 percent (21-of-30) from the field with five more 3-pointers. A 17-2 run highlighted the half for the Hawks, who led by as many as 38 points late in the game. Senior guard
Malik Miller and redshirt sophomore guard
Armoni Foster led the way with in the second half with a combined 25 points.
Who stood out
Foster led the way offensively with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, making three 3-pointers and adding six assists and four rebounds in 27 minutes.
Miller also shot well, scoring 19 points on 9-of-15 from the field to go along with four assists. Porterfield scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and just missed a double-double with eight boards. Jones also scored 19 points on 9-of-13 from the field in 31 minutes off the bench.
Senior forward
Chucky Humphries had nine points and seven rebounds, and put on a defensive show with four blocks. Three of his blocks came during a 45-second span in the first half.
Sophomore guard
Dave Morris had a game-high eight assists.
Notes
The Crimson Hawks entered the game ranked No. 9 in the NABC Top 25 and No. 3 in the D2SIDA Media Top 25 polls … This was IUP's 17th straight win over Lock Haven, the last loss coming in Coach Lombardi's first season (2006-07) … IUP remained unbeaten at home this season (7-0) and is 26-2 in Indiana since the start of last year … IUP has won seven straight games in their first action after winter break … This was Porterfield's fourth straight game in the starting lineup, where he's averaging 13.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game … Foster now has five 20-point games.
Up next
The Crimson Hawks open divisional play Monday night at home against Mercyhurst (6-4, 4-2). The Lakers ended IUP's season last March with a 75-65 victory in the KCAC in the regional semifinals. Tipoff Monday is at 7:30 p.m.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP Men's Basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_MBB.
