INDIANA, Pa. – Top-ranked IUP men's basketball returns home this weekend, hosting No. 25 East Stroudsburg in a matchup between nationally-ranked squads on Saturday, January 28. Tipoff from the KCAC is slated for 3:00 p.m.
IUP (19-0, 13-0) set the tone early in a 72-57 road win at Slippery Rock on January 25. The Hawks placed for in double figures and relied on their stingy defense, limiting SRU to 38.9% shooting on the night.
Meanwhile, East Stroudsburg (15-4, 9-4) came up short in a rescheduled matchup with Lock Haven on Thursday. Falling 83-73, the Warriors were down by 20 points with 12:45 left in the game, getting back to within four against the Bald Eagles.
GAME INFORMATION – EAST STROUDSBURG
TIPOFF NOTES
- IUP's 19-0 start marks the third longest winning streak in program history and the longest in the tenure of head coach Joe Lombardi. The top-ranked Hawks boast the highest winning percentage in NCAA DII basketball since 2019-20, going 80-5 (.941) overall with marks of 28-2, 33-3 and 19-0, not counting the 2020-21 season where most schools did not play.
- Shawndale Jones continues to be a consistent PSAC Player of the Year candidate as the leading scorer in the league (20.7). A three-time PSAC West Athlete of the Week this season, Jones is averaging 24.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals over the last four games.
- IUP extended its regular season winning streak to 30 following the victory against Slippery Rock, winning 11 straight prior to the postseason in 2021-22.
- Saturday is a battle between two of the top units in the country. East Stroudsburg is fourth nationally and first in the PSAC in scoring offense (92.9), while IUP is fourth in the nation and first in the PSAC in scoring defense (59.2).
- IUP HC Joe Lombardi is 11-4 lifetime against East Stroudsburg, including 4-0 in the PSAC tournament. These teams' last meeting came in the PSAC Semifinals at Shippensburg in 2020, an 87-71 IUP victory.
- IUP is 52-3 (.945) overall dating back to last season and 112-9 since 2018-19. The Hawks have won all but two contests by double digits this season on their way to a 19-0 start.
- Tomiwa Sulaiman notched his seventh double-double of the season against Slippery Rock, posting 11 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.
- Over the last six games, IUP is shooting 76.6% (115-150) from the foul line, which includes an 0-for-7 start on Monday at Edinboro. Opponents have made just 72 foul shots during that span.
- Ethan Porterfield has recorded double figures in seven straight outings, earning his first double-double of the season on Monday night at Edinboro.
- Jaylen Stewart continues to carve out his role in the IUP backcourt since his season debut in late December against Millersville. Stewart provide a struggling IUP offense with a big spark in the first half against Edinboro, finishing with a season-high 22 points (7-8 FG) and five boards against the Fighting Scots.
SCOUTING EAST STROUDSBURG
- East Stroudsburg, the PSAC East preseason favorite, is a potent offensive unit with five players averaging double figures. Much like IUP, 20th-year head coach Jeff Wilson returned a talented group of starters and role players from last season, as the Warriors brought in just three newcomers from a season ago.
- Carlos Peppin is the reigning PSAC East Player of the Year and is having another sensational season for the Warriors. The 6-7 forward is third in the PSAC in scoring (17.8) and third in rebounding (9.7). He also won the high jump at the 2021 PSAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
- The Warriors dropped from 14th to 25th in the NABC rankings after losses to Shepherd (96-88) and West Chester (86-81). ESU presents a unique style of play on the defensive end with a full-court press, resulting in 9.8 steals/game, ranking 10th in the nation.
- Justin Paz is seventh in the country with a 3.25 assist/turnover ratio, adding 10.7 points/game. Lakeem McAliley is second on the team in scoring (16.8) and rebounding (6.7), while Rider transfer Jaelene McGlone bolsters an already deep Warrior lineup.
IUP IN THE POLLS
- IUP moved to first in the D2SIDA poll, released December 21, before coming in first in the NABC rankings on December 27. The Hawks maintained the number one spot this week in the coaches poll, sliding one spot to second in the D2SIDA rankings
- The Hawks spent 11 consecutive weeks ranked first in the coaches poll in 1994-95.
- IUP was also the last PSAC men's basketball program ranked first nationally back in the mid-1990s. Prior to that, California (Pa.) was ranked atop the national poll for five weeks in 1992-93, with Millersville and Cheyney earning the number one spot in the 1980s.
- IUP has been ranked in the top 10 over 50 times, dating back to the 2019-20 preseason poll, including the entire 2022-23 season.
- This is the 25th straight week the Hawks are ranked in the top-10 of both polls.
- The NABC ranking on January 24 marked the 207th in program history, also the 120th time ranked inside the top 10 and the 70th week ranked inside the top five.
DEFENSE A FOCAL POINT SO FAR IN 2022-23
- The Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC and rank fourth in NCAA DII in scoring defense (59.2). The Hawks lead the nation in field goal percentage defense (.373) and rank ninth in three-point percentage defense, allowing opponents to convert at just 29.3% from deep.
- IUP ranks second in the PSAC with 9.8, slotting just behind Seton Hill (9.9).
- IUP has ranked in the top 10 nationally among NCAA DII schools in scoring defense in both 2021-22 (62.1) and 2019-20 (65.3).
- IUP has limited 12 of 19 opponents to 60 points or less in 2022-23. Additionally, IUP has surrendered five or fewer made three-point baskets in nine outings this season.
- IUP has three players rank among the top six in the PSAC in steals this season, including Dallis Dillard (1st; 37), Sulaiman (4th; 32) and Jones (6th; 30).
- Porterfield has 21 blocks this season and has 127 for his career, good for third all-time in program history. He is 35 blocks away from tying IUP Hall of Famer Darryl Webb for second all-time.
IUP ALL-TIME BLOCKS LEADERS
- 1 – Devon Cottrell, 207 (2012-17)
- 2 – Darryl Webb, 162 (2007-11)
- 3 – Ethan Porterfield, 127 (2019-Present)
- 4 – Dave Knaub, 103 (1982-86)
LOMBARDI AMONG ELITE COACHES IN ALL OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL
- IUP HC Joe Lombardi (387-106) has helped transform IUP into a consistent national power, now in his 17th season. Lombardi continues to close in on 400 career victories, owning the fourth most wins in PSAC history. Entering the weekend, Lombardi is seven games shy of 500 during his IUP tenure.
- Through his initial 16 seasons, Lombardi has helped guide IUP to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, six PSAC titles, three Atlantic Region Championships and two DII national title game appearances.
- Lombardi is fourth among active NCAA DII head coaches with a .785 winning percentage, just behind Northwest Missouri State's Ben McCollum (.806). He's sixth among active head coaches in winning percentage across all divisions.
- With a minimum of 10 years of experience, Lombardi is 14th among all NCAA head coaches in all-time winning percentage. Members of the list include names like Mark Few, John Wooden, Adolph Rupp and Jerry Tarkanian, among others.
NCAA DII ACTIVE HEAD COACH WINNING PERCENTAGE
* Minimum 10 seasons
- 1 - Jim Crutchfield, Nova Southeastern -- .854 (477-82, 18 yrs)
- 2 - Matt Logie, Point Loma -- .824 (266-57, 11 yrs)
- 3 - Ben McCollum, Northwest Mo. St. -- .805 (352-85, 14 yrs)
- 4 - Joe Lombardi, IUP -- .785 (387-106, 17 yrs)
- 5 - Jeff Young, Walsh -- .755 (427-138, 20 yrs)
HOME SWEET HOME
- IUP has put together a remarkable run of success over the last several seasons, thanks in large part to the team's excellent play on their home floor.
- IUP boasts a 228-36 record in home games all-time under head coach Joe Lombardi.
- Additionally, IUP has gone 67-3 at home since the 2018-19 season. The Hawks have lost just once at home since the start of the 2019-20 season, going 47-1 in home games during that span.
- The win against Cal U on January 21 was the 24th consecutive home win for the Hawks, which marked an entire calendar year with an undefeated home mark, including the playoffs. The last home loss came to Shippensburg on December 19, 2021, which ended a 24-game home winning streak.
- IUP's longest home win streak during the Lombardi Era is 30 straight victories, from 2008-11.
- IUP has two undefeated home seasons under Lombardi - 18-0 in 2009-10 and 16-0 in 2019-20.
JONES MAKING MOST OF SECOND CHANCE
- Shawndale Jones has been stellar in his return to the IUP program in 2022-23. Battling back from a leg injury in just the seventh game of last season, Jones has continued working back to full strength.
- He was one of two IUP players and five players from the PSAC on the 2023 Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List, which recognizes the top players across NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA.
- He posted the 1,000th point of his collegiate career against West Chester on December 19. He has scored 850points during his time in an IUP uniform, shooting 47.8% from the floor for his career as a Crimson Hawk.
- Jones leads the PSAC in scoring (20.7), one of just 35 players in NCAA DII to average at least 20 points per contest. He's also sixth in the league in steals/game (1.7) and 13th in assists/game (3.1).
- Jones is a three-time PSAC West Athlete of the Week for the Hawks this season, earning the accolade on November 21, December 20 and January 23.
- He dropped in a career-best 37 points (16-28 FG) in 39 minutes at Bowie State in November 2021. He scored 31 points against Cal U on January 21 at the KCAC.
- Jones was named the PSAC Tournament MVP in 2019-20 as a sixth man for the Hawks, helping lead IUP to the school's 11th conference title that season.
MIGHTY MORRIS
- Dave Morris have proven valuable across the board as the trigger man for the IUP offense. Morris surpassed 1,000 points in both his collegiate career and at IUP this season, while and also scoring 2,270 points at Strong Vincent HS, the most in Erie history.
- He was one of two IUP players and five players from the PSAC on the 2023 Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List, which recognizes the top players across NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA.
- Morris had a key second-half sequence of three-point baskets against Seton Hill earlier this season, helping fuel a decisive run for the Hawks. He followed it up with 21 points in a victory against Mercyhurst, earning PSAC West Athlete of the Week laurels on January 9.
- He is tied for sixth among active DII men's basketball players in steals/game for his career, averaging 2.04. The NCAA DII leader is Kobe Rodgers from Nova Southeastern (2.72).
- Morris secured the 400th rebound of his collegiate career with three boards against Millersville on December 30. He posted 44 rebounds in his one season at Tennessee State and 393 at IUP.
- Morris also has 357 career assists at IUP alone, surpassing Dewayne Anthony (343) for 10th in program history. When factoring in his 27 assists at Tennessee State, Morris has 384 career assists.
- Morris is third in the PSAC with 75 assists this season, posting three or more in 17 games.
- He was named PSAC West Athlete of the Week on December 12, following a career outing of 31 points (10-16 FG) against Penn State Altoona.
IUP ALL-TIME ASSIST LEADERS
- 1 – 567, Dante Lombardi (2015-19)
- 2 – 512, Devante Chance (2011-15)
- 3 – 456, Ashton Smith (2008-12)
- 4 – 450, Mont Mattocks (1966-70)
- 5 – 425, Eddie Peterson (2002-06)
- 6 – 406, Yancey Taylor (1992-95)
- 7 – 388, Armoni Foster (2018-22)
- 8 - 379, Gerry Recktenwald 1974-78
- 9 - 372, Jim DeMark (1966-70)
- 10 – 357, Dave Morris (2019-Present; IUP only)
- 11 - 343, Dwayne Anthony (1997-00)
PORTERFIELD IS WORKING HARD TO CONTRIBUTE
- Continuing to work back to full strength, Ethan Porterfield is a vital part of the IUP lineup and rotation in his junior season. Finding his shooting touch, Porterfield is 46.5% from beyond the arc since the new year.
- Porterfield is still averaging double figures (12.8) and ranks second on the the team with 21 blocks in 17 games.
- He matched a career-high 14 rebounds at Edinboro on January 23, his first double-double of the 2021-23 season.
- He was an efficient 5-7 from the floor for 11 points with five rebounds and four assists at Millersville. Porterfield matched a season-high three blocks against Seton Hill on January 4.
- Porterfield surpassed 1,000 career points on a pull-up three in the second half against Walsh in November. He grabbed his 500th career rebound at UPJ on January 14.
IUP ALL-TIME THREE-POINTERS MADE
- 1 – 333, Julian Sanders (2008-12)
- 2 – 287, Jason Bullock (1992-96)
- 3 – 273, Dante Lombardi (2015-19)
- 4 – 229, Anthony Glover, Jr. (2015-18)
- 5 – 200, Malik Miller (2016-20)
- 6 – 195, Geoff Evans (1998-01)
- 7 – 187, Aaron Faulkner (1999-02)
- 8 – 181, Eddie Peterson (2002-06)
- 9 – 164, Devante Chance (2011-15)
- 10 – 154, Paul Burnett (1985-90)
- 11 – 146, Ethan Porterfield (2019-Present)
SULAIMAN AND BROOKS CREATE DYNAMIC INSIDE DUO FOR HAWKS
- Sulaiman and Damir Brooks have combined to create a high-energy low post duo for IUP, each with an ability to alter the game on the defensive side of the ball.
- The sophomores combine for 11.1 rebounds per game, each providing a big spark to the IUP lineup.
- Sulaiman is a frontrunner for PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year as a three-time PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Jan. 16). He continues to provide a spark of energy for the Hawks with averages 11.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks.
- Meanwhile, Brooks has provided his fair share of highlight reel sequences in limited action off the bench. He is shooting an efficient 75.6% (31-41) from the floor, adding 13 blocks and six steals.
THE REIGNING, DEFENDING PSAC CHAMPIONS CAPTURE THIRD IN A ROW
- IUP won its third consecutive PSAC Championship with a 63-52 win against Millersville at the KCAC on March 5, 2022.
- It marked the 12th PSAC Tournament championship in program history and 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.
- Ethan Porterfield was named the PSAC Tournament MVP, averaging 15.0 PPG and 8.7 RPG.
BEARER IS BACK; PART OF NEW-LOOK ASSISTANT STAFF
- Former IUP captain Greg Bearer is back with the men's basketball program, returning to the bench to serve as an assistant coach in 2022-23.
- Bearer previously worked at the nationally renowned DME Academy prior to returning to Indiana.
- Also new to the staff this season is graduate assistant Jake Perrin, who worked as a head coach at the high school level.
- Former assistant coach Ron Fadula accepted the head coaching job at upstart South Carolina Beaufort back in October. He is one of several former assistants to take the next step in their professional coaching tenure, including Shippensburg head coach Chris Fite.
