INDIANA, Pa. - The top-seed IUP men's basketball team (29-2, 20-2 PSAC) opens NCAA tournament play on Saturday when they take on eighth-seeded Fayetteville State (21-8, 12-3 CIAA) in the first round of the Division II Atlantic Region Championship. Tipoff at the Kovalchick Complex is set for 5 p.m. It's the third men's regional game of the weekend with the winner advancing to play in Sunday evening's regional semifinal. 

TIPOFF NOTES
>> IUP is making its 18th NCAA tournament appearance and has a 31-16 all-time record. It marks the 11th NCAA tournament appearance under HC Joe Lombardi since 2009. 
>> Lombardi is 18-9 all-time in NCAA tournament games with two regional titles and two national title game appearances. He's 8-1 in opening round games. 
>> This is the Hawks' third straight full season they earned the No. 1 seed to serve as host of the Atlantic Region Championship, including the canceled 2020 tournament. IUP also hosted the regional in 2010. 
>> IUP is 4-1 in home NCAA tournament games, winning the 2010 regional at the Memorial Field House. 
>> As a program the Crimson Hawks are 11-2 all-time in NCAA tournament openers. 
>> The Crimson Hawks are one of three teams in Division II with 2 or fewer losses this season.
>> IUP is coming off its third straight PSAC tournament title and its sixth under Lombardi since 2010. The Hawks are the first PSAC team to win at least three straight titles since Cheyney from 1976-80. 
>> IUP has won 25 games for the eighth time in the last 12 full seasons under HC Joe Lombardi (2009-10). A victory over Fayetteville State would give IUP and Lombardi their fourth 30-win season since 2009-10.
>> This is IUP's first ever meeting with Fayetteville State.
>> IUP has won 36 of its last 37 home games dating back to the start of 2019-20, including 18-1 this year. 
>> IUP is 32-3 in February and March over the last three full seasons, including 20-2 at home.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE BRONCOS
>> Fayetteville State is 21-8 and finished 2nd in the CIAA South with a 7-3 division record.
>> The Broncos earned an automatic NCAA bid after defeating Virginia Union 65-62 in the CIAA title game.
>> Fayetteville St. went 0-1 against the Atlantic Region tourney teams, falling to Mercyhurst 77-60 on Nov. 13.

IUP IN 11TH NCAA TOURNAMENT UNDER LOMBARDI
>> The Crimson Hawks are back in the NCAA tournament for the 11th time under HC Joe Lombardi. 
>> Lombardi and IUP made the dance seven straight years between 2009-15, and four times since 2017. 
>> Lombardi and the Crimson Hawks are 18-9 in NCAA games including a 4-1 mark at home since 2010.
>> The Crimson Hawks are looking for the program's seventh regional title and first since 2015. 

HAWKS WON 12TH PSAC TOURNEY TITLE
>> IUP won the program's 12th all-time PSAC tournament title with a 63-52 win over Millersville on Sunday.
>> It's the sixth conference title under HC Joe Lombardi, the most among active PSAC coaches and the second most in conference history. 
>> IUP's 12 titles are second behind Cheyney's 15. 
>> So. F Ethan Porterfield was named the PSAC Tournament MVP, averaging 15.0 PPG and 8.7 RPG.

IUP IN THE POLLS
>> The Hawks finished the season ranked No. 3 in the NABC Coaches' poll and No. 2 in the D2SIDA Media poll.
>> This is the fourth time in the last five full seasons IUP finished the regular season in the top-10 nationally.
>> IUP has been inside the top-10 of the media poll each week this year.
>> This is the 15th straight week the Hawks are ranked in the top-10 of both polls.
>> It's the 49th time in the last 51 polls the Hawks have been eligible for that they rank in the top-10, dating back to the 2019-20 preseason poll. 

IUP ON SEASON-HIGH 14-GAME WIN STREAK
>> The Hawks have won their last 14 games since Jan. 26 by an average of 13.5 PPG. 
>> IUP also has two 9-game win streaks this year.
>> The Hawks have had 14 win streaks of 9+ games during HC Joe Lombardi's tenure.
>> The longest win streak under Lombardi was 18 straight games during the 2016-17 season.

HAWKS OFFENSE PROVIDES FIREWORKS
>> IUP is 6th in the PSAC and is 47th in DII at 80.2 PPG. 
>> The Hawks have scored at least 81 points 16 times in 31 games this season.
>> They have scored 100+ points four times and have five more 90-point efforts. 
>> The 107 points against Pitt-Greensburg is a season-high. IUP also scored 106 against Le Moyone, 103 at West Chester, and 100 at Seton Hill. 
>> Five times this year at least five Crimson Hawks have scored in double-figures. 
>> Four of IUP's regular starters average double-figures.

KNOCKING DOWN THE "3"
>> IUP leads the PSAC with 9.3 made 3FGs per game.
>> IUP's 35.3 3FG% is 5th in the conference. 
>> The Hawks made a season-high 18 3-pointers in the 100-60 win at Seton Hill on Jan. 19.
>> They also have performances of 16 3FGs against Edinboro (Jan. 26) and 15 against Gannon (Jan. 31). 
>> IUP has 12 games of 10+ 3-pointers made and has made at least 5 in every game this year.
>> Eight players have made at least 10 3-pointers.

SHOOTING THEIR SHOT
>> IUP is 6th in the PSAC and ranks 67th in Division II with a 46.9 FG%. 
>> The Hawks have shot at least 50 pct. 10 times in 31 games this year, going 10-0 in those games.
>> IUP had a season-high 67.8 FG% in the win over Virginia State, the 4th best percentage in program history.
>> The Hawks also had a 63.5 FG% in the win over Le Moyne. 

PROVIDING THE ASSIST
>> IUP leads the PSAC and ranks 6th in Division II with 18.2 assists per game.
>> The Hawks have assisted on 62.5 pct. (563-901) of their made buckets this season.
>> IUP has double-figure assists in 30 of its 31 games.
>> The Hawks have 11 outings with 20+ assists, including a season-high 31 in the win over Clarion (Feb. 23).
>> IUP assisted on 25 of its 28 made buckets against Gannon on Jan. 31. 
>> Eight Hawks have dished out 20+ assists with Jr. G Armoni Foster (214) and Jr. G Dave Morris (131) on top.

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
>> IUP allowed 53.3 PPG and a 31.6 FG% with 10 blocks and 32 steals during the PSAC tournament. 
>> The Hawks lead the PSAC and rank 6th in Division II by giving up just 62.6 PPG.
>> IUP has held opponents under 60 points 11 times. 
>> IUP is 18th in Division II with 8.8 steals per game. 
>> The Hawks have 13 games of 10+ steals, including a season-high 16 against Concord and at West Chester.
>> Jr. G Dave Morris leads the PSAC and ranks 14th in Division II with 2.30 steals per game. 
>> Morris (69) is one of eight Hawks with more than 10 steals this season.
>> The Hawks' 4.1 blocks per game ranks 2nd in the PSAC and 33rd in Division II. 
>> They tallied a season-high 11 blocks in the win over Edinboro on Jan. 26.
>> So. F Ethan Porterfield ranks 4th in the PSAC with 1.4 blocks per game, including 6 against Edinboro.

BATTLE OF THE BOARDS
>> IUP is 1st in the PSAC and ranks 6th in Division II with a +8.2 rebounding margin.
>> The Hawks posted a +9.7 rebound margin in three PSAC tournament games.
>> IUP has won the rebound battle in 24 of 31 games.
>> IUP had a PSAC-best +6.0 rebound margin in 22 conference games.

IUP SUCCESSFUL AT HOME
>> The Crimson Hawks have lost one home game since the start of the 2019-20 season, going 36-1. 
>> The lone loss came to Shippensburg on Dec. 19, ending IUP's 24-game home win streak. 
>> IUP's longest home win streak during the Lombardi Era is 30 straight victories, from 2008-11. 
>> IUP is 216-36 (.857) at home under Lombardi, including a 55-3 (.948) mark since the 2018-19 season.
>> IUP has two undefeated home seasons under Lombardi - 18-0 in 2009-10 and 16-0 in 2019-20. 

FOSTER NAMED PSAC WEST ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
>> Jr. G Armoni Foster is averaging 19.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 6.9 APG, to go along with 49 steals and 17 blocks.
>> He ranks 4th in the PSAC and 63rd in DII in points.
>> Foster is 2nd in the PSAC and 4th in DII in assists.
>> His 214 assists is 2nd in IUP single season history (Devante Chance, 217).
>> He's one of three Division II players with multiple triple-doubles this year.
>> Foster tallied his last triple-double with 25 points, 10 boards and 10 assists against Pitt-Greensburg (Dec. 31).
>> He also had 22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds against Virginia State. 
>> Foster also has five double-doubles this year.
>> Foster has 14 20-point performances, including three of 30+, this season, with a career-high 33 at West Chester.
>> Foster is currently 14th in IUP history with 1,492 points (Joe DeLise, 13th, 1,510).

FOSTER'S AWARDS
>> In addition to being named PSAC player of the year, he was also a 1st team selection for the 2nd straight year.
>> Foster was named to the Bevo Francis Award Watch List (top 50) on Feb. 15.
>> Foster earned back-to-back PSAC West Athlete of the Week honors (Nov. 29, Dec. 6).
>> He was also named the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week on Jan. 31.

PORTERFIELD IS MR. INSIDE AND MR. OUTSIDE
>> So. F Ethan Porterfield is averaging 17.0 PPG and 7.3 RPG, has 75 3-pointers and 44 blocks.
>> He was a first team All-PSAC West selection.
>> Porterfield was named PSAC Tournament MVP.
>> He's 11th in the PSAC in scoring and 14th in rebounds.
>> He's 3rd in the PSAC with a 56.6 FG%.
>> Porterfield leads the PSAC with a 50.7 3FG%.
>> Porterfield's 1.4 blocks per game is 4th in the PSAC.
>> He has five double-doubles this year, his latest coming against Cal U (22 & 12) in the PSAC quarters.
>> He posted a career-high 30 points on 13-16 FGs, 3-5 3FGs, and 1-1 FTs in the win at Clarion on Jan. 22.
>> Porterfield has 10 games of 20-plus points.
>> He was named PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week on Dec. 20 (11.0 RPG, 5 blocks, 3 steals).

MORRIS IS A TWO-WAY POINT GUARD
>> Jr. G Dave Morris is averaging 11.8 PPG and is 2nd on the team with 131 assists.
>> He was a first team All-PSAC West selection.
>> His 4.4 APG ranks 7th in the PSAC. 
>> Morris has a career-high 12 assists twice this year - both against Clarion.
>> Morris leads the PSAC and ranks 14th in Division II with 2.3 steals per game. His 69 steals is 9th in DII.
>> He has 13 games of 3+ steals this year, tying a career-high with 6 against Concord and Lock Haven.
>> Morris has two double-doubles: 19 pts, 16 reb at Gannon and 13 pts, 12 ast vs. Clarion. 

DEMOGERONTAS RETURNS TO THE COURT
>> 5th yr. F Tommy Demogerontas returned against Seton Hill on Feb. 19 after missing 7 games. 
>> He's averaing 7.5 PPG and 4.5 RPG and shooting 18-36 FGs since returning
>> He's 4th on the team with 10.8 PPG and his 6.8 RPG is 2nd on the team.
>> He has 3 double-doubles and a 51.3 FG%.
>> Demogerontas had a career game with highs of 23 points and 15 rebounds at Bowie State.

JONES WILL NOT RETURN IN 2021-22
>> Sr. G Shawndale Jones will miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season after suffering an injury at West Chester on Dec. 4.
>> At the time of his injury, Jones led the PSAC and ranked 6th in Division II with 25.0 PPG. 
>> He had five 20-point games, including a career-high 37 points at Bowie State.
>> He's one of four IUP players this century to score at least 37 points in a game. 
>> He was also 9th in the PSAC with a 57.4 FG%, 4th with an 86.8 FT%, and 4th with 33 free throws made. 

SULAIMAN IS PSAC WEST'S TOP FRESHMAN
>> Fr. F Tomiwa Sulaiman has started 14 of the last 17 games, moving in with Demogerontas' injury.
>> He was named the PSAC West Rookie of the Year.
>> He broke out with a season-high 26 points on 10-15 FGs and 6-6 FTs against Cal U (Feb. 9). 
>> He's averaging 10.9 PPG and 7.5 RPG with a 56.9 FG% (66-116), 15 blocks and 22 steals in 14 starts.
>> With Sulaiman in the lineup, IUP is 14-0 with a +17.6 scoring margin. Opponents are averaging 57.9 PPG and shooting just 36.7 pct. 
>> He has five multi-block games this season, including three 3-block games in his last 15 outings.

DILLARD PACKS A PUNCH
>> Fr. G Dallis Dillard had his redshirt pulled when Jones was hurt. He's averaging 22.7 minutes in 24 games.
>> He scored a season-high 19 points at Seton Hill and had 14 points in the PSAC quarterfinals win.
>> Dillard averaged 9.3 PPG and 5.3 RPG and made 6-15 from 3-point range in the PSAC tournament.
>> He averaged 5.7 PPG with a 21-9 assist-turnover ratio in 16 PSAC West games. 

LOMBARDI AMONG TOP PSAC COACHES
>> HC Joe Lombardi is IUP's all-time winningest coach with a 363-105 (.775) career record.
>> His 363 wins is 48th among active Division II coaches.
>> He's also 6th in PSAC history in total wins. Bill Brown (Cal U, 1996-2016) is 5th with 365 victories. 
>> Amongst PSAC coaches with 225+ victories, Lombardi's 22.7 wins per year is 2nd in league history. John Kochan (Millersville) averaged 23.8 wins between 1984-1996. 

CHAMPIONSHIP RESUME
>> Lombardi has the most PSAC tournament appearances (14), wins (24), and titles (6) than any other coach in program history.
>> He's won back-to-back tournament titles twice (2010-11, 2019-20, 2022).
>> He also has 11 regular season divisional titles.
>> Lombardi also has two Atlantic Region titles and two trips to the Division II national title game (2010, 2015).