INDIANA, Pa. - The two-seed IUP men's basketball team (32-2, 20-2 PSAC) continues its championship chase as they square off against seven-seed Hillsdale (23-7, 15-5 GLIAC) in the quarterfinal of the NCAA Division II Championship Tuesday night. Tipoff at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana is 7 p.m. EST, 6 p.m. CST. The Atlantic Region champion Crimson Hawks have won six straight postseason games to get here, while the Chargers advanced from the Midwest as the third-seed to win the program's first regional title.  

TIPOFF NOTES
>> IUP is making its 18th NCAA tournament appearance and has a 34-16 all-time record. This year marks the 11th NCAA tournament appearance under HC Joe Lombardi since the 2008-09 season (13 full seasons).
>> This is IUP's seventh Elite Eight appearance, last advancing in 2015 at the Ford Center in Evansville.
>> IUP advanced to the national title game at the Ford Center in 2015, defeating Azusa Pacific 69-65 in the opening round and Tarleton State 72-68 in the semifinals. IUP lost to No. 1 Florida Southern 77-62 in the title game.
>> Lombardi is 21-9 all-time in NCAA tournament games with three regional titles (2010, 2015, 2022) and two national title game appearances (2010, 2015). 
>> IUP is 4-2 all-time in national quarterfinal games. Lombardi is 2-0. 
>> The Hawks are one of three NCAA teams with 32 wins. DI Arizona and DIII Randolph-Macon are the others.
>> 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 tournament titles since Cheyney from 1976-80. 
>> This is IUP's fourth 30-win season under HC Joe Lombardi, including a program record 33-3 mark in 2009-10.
>> IUP and Hillsdale have never played each other. 
>> This will be the first game away from home for the Hawks in 34 days, defeating Edinboro 83-71 on Feb. 16.
>> The Hawks are 11-1 on the road this year with a +15.3 scoring margin. 
>> IUP is 35-3 in February and March over the last three full seasons, including 12-1 away from home. 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CHARGERS
>> Hillsdale is 23-7 overall and finished 2nd in the G-MAC regular season standings at 15-5 league record.
>> The Chargers won their first ever regional title with a 73-63 win over Missouri St.-Louis. 
>> Hillsdale was the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region.
>> HC is led by Midwest Region Player of the Year Patrick Cartier who is averaging 22.1 PPG and 6.1 RPG.
>> HC is 7th in the G-MAC and 185th in DII with 72.4 PPG.
>> They are 23rd in DII giving up 65.0 PPG, holding opponents to 70 or fewer points 24 times.

IUP IN THIRD ELITE EIGHT UNDER LOMBARDI
>> The Crimson Hawks are making their 3rd Elite Eight appearance under HC Jo Lombardi since 2009-10. 
>> IUP and Lombardi advanced to the national title game in both previous appearances - 2010 and 2015. 
>> This is IUP's 11th trip to the NCAA tournament under Lombardi with a 21-9 record. 
>> The Hawks made the dance seven straight years between 2009-15, and four times since 2017. 
>> IUP is looking for its first national title. 

HAWKS BATTLED IN REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
>> IUP won its 7th regional title with a 68-59 win over Cal U to advance to the Elite Eight.
>> The Hawks were forced to face two division rivals, defeating Mercyhurst for the 3rd time and the Vulcans for the 4th time this season. 
>> So. F Ethan Porterfield was named the Atlantic Region Tournament MVP, averaging 17.3 PPG and 8.0 RPG.

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 March 5.
>> 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.
>> 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 17-GAME WIN STREAK
>> The Hawks have won their last 17 games since Jan. 26 by an average of 12.8 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.

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
>> IUP has allowed 53.8 PPG and a 32.4 FG%, and has 21 blocks and 49 steals in its six postseason victories.
>> Its Atlantic Region tournament opponents shot just 33.3 pct. from the field, including 32.8 pct. by Cal U. 
>> The Hawks lead the PSAC and rank 4th in Division II by giving up just 61.9 PPG.
>> IUP has held opponents under 60 points 14 times. 
>> IUP is 18th in Division II with 8.7 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 (76) is one of seven Hawks with more than 20 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 5th in the PSAC with 1.4 blocks per game, including 6 against Edinboro.

HAWKS OFFENSE PROVIDES FIREWORKS
>> IUP is 7th in the PSAC and is 63rd in DII at 78.7 PPG. 
>> The Hawks have scored at least 81 points 16 times.
>> 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 9.1 made 3FGs per game.
>> IUP's 35.2 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.
>> Seven players have made at least 17 3-pointers.

SHOOTING THEIR SHOT
>> IUP is 5th in the PSAC and 70th in DII with a 46.6 FG%. 
>> The Hawks have shot at least 50 pct. 10 times in 34 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.
>> IUP also had a 63.5 FG% in the win over Le Moyne. 

PROVIDING THE ASSIST
>> IUP is 2nd in the PSAC and ranks 10th in Division II with 17.5 assists per game.
>> The Hawks have assisted on 62.0 pct. (596-962) of their made buckets this season.
>> IUP has double-figure assists in 32 of its 34 games.
>> The Hawks have 11 outings with 20+ assists, including a season-high 31 in the win over Clarion (Feb. 23).
>> Eight Hawks have dished out 20+ assists with Jr. G Armoni Foster (223) and Jr. G Dave Morris (140) on top.

BATTLE OF THE BOARDS
>> IUP is 1st in the PSAC and ranks 10th in Division II with a +7.6 rebounding margin.
>> The Hawks posted a +5.3 rebound margin in six postseason games.
>> IUP is 26-0 when winning the rebounding battle. 
>> IUP had a PSAC-best +6.0 rebound margin in 22 conference games.

IUP SUCCESSFUL AT HOME
>> The Crimson Hawks had a 21-1 home record.
>> The 21 wins is a new program record.
>> The lone loss came to Shippensburg on Dec. 19, ending IUP's 24-game home win streak. 
>> IUP has won 39 of its last 40 home games since 2019.
>> IUP is 219-36 (.859) at home under Lombardi, including a 58-3 (.951) mark since the 2018-19 season.

FOSTER A NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE
>> Jr. G Armoni Foster is averaging 18.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 6.6 APG, to go along with 53 steals and 17 blocks.
>> Foster was named PSAC West Player of the Year. He's a two-time 1st team All-PSAC selection.
>> He's a 1st team NABC All-Atlantic District pick and 1st team D2CCA All-Atlantic Region selection.
>> He ranks 7th in the PSAC and 81st in DII in points.
>> Foster is 2nd in the PSAC and 6th in DII in assists.
>> His 223 assists is an IUP single season record.
>> Foster's 623 points is 5th in IUP history. He's 39 points shy of Brandon Norfleet's record of 662 (2015-16).
>> He's one of three Division II players with multiple triple-doubles this year (2). Foster is the only player in the Elite Eight with a triple-double.
>> 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 11th in IUP history with 1,527 points (Derrick Freeman, 10th, 1,535).

PORTERFIELD HAVING A STANDOUT POSTSEASON
>> So. F Ethan Porterfield is averaging 17.1 PPG and 7.4 RPG, has 78 3-pointers and 47 blocks.
>> He was named the Atlantic Region Tournament and PSAC Tournament MVP.
>> Porterfield is a 2nd team NABC All-Atlantic District and D2CCA All-Atlantic Region, and 1st team All-PSAC pick.
>> He's 11th in the PSAC in scoring and 14th in rebounds.
>> He's 3rd in the PSAC with a 56.3 FG%.
>> Porterfield leads the PSAC with a 49.4 3FG%.
>> He has six double-doubles this year, including two during the postseason.
>> 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 11 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 12.0 PPG and 5.2 RPG, and is 2nd on the team with 140 assists.
>> He was a first team All-PSAC West selection and Atlantic Region All-Tournament Team selection.
>> His 4.4 APG ranks 7th in the PSAC. 
>> Morris has a career-high 12 assists twice this year.
>> Morris leads the PSAC and ranks 14th in Division II with 2.3 steals per game. His 76 steals is 5th in DII.
>> He has 14 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 TURNS INTO KEY BENCH PLAYER
>> 5th yr. F Tommy Demogerontas has gone from starter to key role player since returning from injury on Feb. 19.
>> He's averaing 6.9 PPG and 17.3 MPG in seven games off the bench; 11.7 PPG in 18 starts.
>> He has 3 double-doubles and a 50.7 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 17 of the last 20 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 9.8 PPG and 7.2 RPG with a 54.7 FG%, 22 blocks and 25 steals in 17 starts.
>> With Sulaiman in the lineup, IUP is 17-0 with a +16.2 scoring margin. Opponents are averaging 57.2 PPG and shooting just 36.1 pct. 
>> He has 8 multi-block games this season and totaled 8 blocks in three regional tournament games.

DILLARD PACKS A PUNCH
>> Fr. G Dallis Dillard had his redshirt pulled when Jones was hurt. He's played in 27 games with 9 starts.
>> He scored a season-high 19 points at Seton Hill and had 14 points in the PSAC quarterfinals win.
>> Dillard is averaging 7.3 PPG and 5.3 RPG with 9 3-pointers in six postseason games.
>> He averaged 5.7 PPG with a 21-9 assist-turnover ratio in 16 PSAC West games. 

LOMBARDI AMONG TOP PSAC, DIVISION II COACHES
>> HC Joe Lombardi is IUP's all-time winningest coach with a 367-105 (.778) career record.
>> His 367 wins is 22nd among active DII coaches.
>> Lombardi's .778 win percentage is 4th among active coaches with at least 10 seasons.
>> He's also 5th in PSAC history in total wins. Dick Delaney (West Chester, 1987-08) is 4th with 370 victories. 
>> Amongst PSAC coaches with 225+ victories, Lombardi's 22.9 wins per year is 2nd in league history. John Kochan (Millersville) averaged 23.8 wins between 1984-1996. 

CHAMPIONSHIP RESUME
>> Lombardi has the most NCAA tournament appearances (11), wins (21), and Elite Eight appearances (3) than any other coach in program history.
>> He's led the Crimson Hawks to two national title games (2010, 2015).
>> Lombardi also has 11 regular season division titles and seven PSAC tournament championships.