INDIANA, Pa. - Despite the lack of fan attendance at the Kovalchick Complex, the eighth-ranked IUP men's basketball team defeated rival Slippery Rock 72-61 Monday night for its fifth consecutive victory. 

It was IUP's second win in three days over The Rock, sweeping the season series for the ninth time in the last 15 full seasons. It also extended IUP's home win streak in the series to 32 games dating back to the 1992-93 season. 

IUP improved to 20-2 overall and 14-2 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The win coupled with Pitt-Johnstown's loss gave the Crimson Hawks a one-game lead in the PSAC Western Division. 

The Hawks were playing without fans in attendance after last week's decision that no spectators would be permitted at IUP athletic events from Feb. 1 to Feb. 13.

How it happened
IUP was on fire early, getting its lead to double-figures less than seven minutes in before racing out to a 27-9 lead with nine minutes left in the first half. The Hawks went 11-of-17 from the floor over the first 11 minutes, including five 3-pointers - three from sophomore forward Ethan Porterfield. 

The Hawks extended their advantage over SRU to 20 points at 32-12 with 7:30 to play before Slippery Rock started to chip away at the lead. 

The Rock went on a 9-0 run as IUP was held scoreless for four minutes. SRU cut its deficit to single digits at the end of the half as IUP went to the locker room with a 40-32 lead. 

IUP went on top by double-figures again with a 15-3 run early in the second half. A layup by junior guard Dave Morris gave the Hawks a 55-39 lead with 14:57 to play. With the Hawks on top by 17 points minutes later, SRU again went on a run to get back in the game, scoring 10 straight points to make it a 60-53 game with 8:11 to play.

IUP responded with another hot streak, going on an 8-2 run and then held SRU without a field goal for the final 3:45 to pick up the win.

The Hawks held SRU to a 38.9 shooting percentage (21-of-54), including 6-of-23 from 3-point range. The Rock had made 15 3-pointers in their meeting on Saturday at Morrow Field House. 

Who stood out
Porterfield led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. He also had eight rebounds, three steals and a block in 35 minutes.

Junior guard Armoni Foster nearly picked up his sixth double-double with 16 points and nine assists go to along with five rebounds and four steals in 39 minutes. Morris also scored 16 points and had three steals in 37 minutes. 

Notes
IUP entered the game ranked No. 8 in the NABC Coaches and No. 5 in the D2SIDA Media Top 25 polls ... IUP won its 20th game in a season for the 13th straight season ... IUP head coach Joe Lombardi improved to 28-6 lifetime against Slippery Rock ... IUP is 68-6 in PSAC West games since the 2016-17 season, including 34-2 at home ... IUP has won 29 of its last 30 home games dating back to the start of the 2019-20 season, including 11-1 this year ... This was the fifth straight game, and seventh in the last eight, that IUP has held an opponent under 40 percent shooting. 

Up next
The Crimson Hawks are back at home Wednesday when they host Cal U (15-5, 10-4 PSAC) at the Kovalchick Complex. It will be the second straight game that will be without fans. 

Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP Men's Basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_MBB.