INDIANA, Pa. – The third-ranked IUP men's basketball team looks to remain unbeaten, making a road trip to Ohio for a matchup with Walsh on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff from Alumni area in North Canton is set for 2:00 p.m.
Battling past some jitters associated with the home opener, IUP (3-0) made timely plays with tough defense and transition play for a 76-55 victory earlier this week at the KCAC. The Crimson Hawks presented the 2021-22 NCAA DII Final Four trophy before the game, later placing four scorers in double figures in the victory.
Walsh has reeled off consecutive victories after dropping its 2022-23 season opener. Saturday marks the fourth consecutive home matchup for the Cavaliers, while IUP has played just one home contest this season. Walsh used a big first half before holding on for a 77-62 win against Carnegie Mellon last time out.
GAME INFORMATION – WALSH
- Game Four: IUP (3-0) at Walsh (2-1)
- When: Saturday, November 19 – 2:00 p.m.
- Where: Alumni Arena – North Canton, Ohio
- Social Media Updates: Twitter (@IUP_MBB)
- Live Video: Stretch Internet
- Live Audio: U92.5 FM (U92 Sports Channel)
- Live Stats: SIDEARM
- Season Stats: IUP | Walsh
IUP IN THE RANKINGS
- NABC – No. 3 (Preseason)
- D2SIDA – No. 2 (Week One)
- D2SIDA Atlantic Region Rankings – No. 1 (Week One)
IUP NEWS AND NOTES
- IUP has held all three of its opponents to 60 points or less, entering the weekend ranks ninth in NCAA DII in scoring defense (55.0). The Crimson Hawks are limiting opponents to 32.5% from the floor and 20.0% from beyond the arc.
- Shawndale Jones posted a game-high 20 points (9-9 FT) with seven rebounds ant three assists. It was one of several standout performances against the Bulldogs as Tomiwa Sulaiman recorded an impactful double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
- The Crimson Hawks shot just under 50% from the floor in the opening half against Bowie State before clamping down the Bulldogs over the final 20 minutes. Bowie State made just one shot from beyond the arc in the second half.
- Ethan Porterfield enters the weekend just 11 points shy of 1,000 for his career, currently at 989. He's added five blocks on the season, providing IUP with an inside/outside threat.
- Jones has scored at least 20 points in the first three contests of 2022-23, playing 30 or more minutes in each game and tied for the team lead with six steals.
- Dave Morris has steadily picked up where he left off as an excellent two-way point guard this season. Morris has posted double figures in all three games, grabbing total rebounds with 11 assists and five steals.
- Dallis Dillard is a perfect 5-for-5 on three-point baskets from beyond the arc this season.
SCOUTING WALSH
- 2022-23 Overview | Overall: 2-1 | G-MAC: 0-0 | Home: 2-1 | Away: 0-0 | Neutral: 0-0
- Walsh won 24 games last season, capturing the team's third Great Midwest Athletic Conference championship and earning the top seed in the Midwest Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
- Walsh outscored Carnegie Mellon by a 37-22 margin in the first half, accounting for the 15-point victory on November 15.
- The Cavaliers were led by Tim Smith Jr., who posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Milan Square canned five three-point field goals and Garrison Kessler posted a double-double.
- Kesslar and Smith Jr. are averaging over 33 minutes per contest as two of the leaders for Walsh. Kesslar has 17 assists in just three games and also leads the team with six steals.
- Head coach Jeff Young is the program's all-time winningest coach. Walsh's top seed in the Midwest Regional was the team's first time hosting in the DII era.
FOLLOW
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP men's basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_MBB.
