MATCHUP
(9/3) IUP Crimson Hawks vs. (-/-) Mercyhurst Lakers
Monday, January 6, 2020 | 7:30 p.m. | Kovlachick Complex, Indiana, Pa.
*Rankings reflect NABC/D2SIDA Top 25 Polls

PREVIEW INFORMATION
IUP (10-1, 5-1 PSAC) | Mercyhurst (6-4, 4-2 PSAC)

FOLLOW
Watch: IUP-TV Sports/Stretch Internet | Live Stats: IUPstats.com/StatBroadcast | Listen: WQMU 92.5, U92 Sports App | Twitter Updates: @IUP_MBB

COMING UP
Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Slippery Rock, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 11 at Gannon, 5:30 p.m.

THE GAME AT A GLANCE
No. 9 IUP men's basketball (10-1, 5-1 PSAC) looks to start another win streak as they open divisional play Monday night against Mercyhurst (6-4, 4-2 PSAC). Tipoff at the Kovalchick Complex is 7:30 p.m. The Crimson Hawks returned from winter break and rebounded from its only loss with a 93-68 victory over Lock Haven Friday night. The Lakers also bounced back from a late December loss to defeat Seton Hill 73-58 Friday.  

TIPOFF NOTES
>> The Crimson Hawks had their best shooting performance of the season in the win over Lock Haven, converting 59.1 percent (39-66) from the floor, including 10 3FGs. 
>> R-So. G Armoni Foster had a game-high 20 points, leading for IUP players in double-figures. Sr. G Malik Miller and Jr. G Shawndale Jones each had 19 points, and Fr. F Ethan Porterfield had 18 points. 
>> This was Foster's fifth game of 20+ points and his seventh time leading the team in scoring. 
>> Porterfield has started four straight games, averaging 13.8 PPG and 7.0 RPG with a 53.3 3FG% during that span.
>> The Crimson Hawks are 26-2 at home since the start of last year, including a 7-0 mark this year. IUP has a +26.0 scoring margin in those seven wins, including five by more than 20 points. 
>> IUP HC Joe Lombardi has a 19-10 lifetime record against Mercyhurst, including a 13-4 mark at the KCAC. The Lakers snagged two wins in Indiana last year, including one to end IUP's season in the regional semifinals. 
>> Those two losses for IUP were the first to the Lakers since the 2015-16 season. Lombardi and the Crimson Hawks are 8-2 against the Lakers over the last 10 meetings. 
>> Lombardi is 11-2 in divisional openers during his time at IUP. Those losses came in back-to-back years against Mercyhurst (2014-15 and 2015-16). 
>> The Crimson Hawks are 43-3 (.935) in January over the last six seasons, including 21-1 at home.