INDIANA, Pa. – Closing out the home portion of the 2023 calendar year, the IUP men's basketball program looks to continue surging with Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover contests against Mansfield and Bloomsburg.
Tipoff for both contests is set for around 7:30 p.m. from the KCAC, following the women's basketball doubleheader.
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (5-3, 2-0) vs. Mansfield
Monday, December 18 – 7:30 p.m. – KCAC – Indiana, Pa.
IUP vs. Bloomsburg
Tuesday, December 19 – 7:30 p.m. – KCAC – Indiana, Pa.
TIPOFF NEWS AND NOTES
- IUP has reeled off four wins in a row heading into the crossover stretch, most recently a 74-64 triumph against Point Park at the KCAC back on December 10.
- Garvin Clarke put together a stellar effort for IUP in the victory against the Pioneers, earning PSAC West Athlete of the Week honors after flirting with a triple-double behind a game-high 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
- Ethan Porterfield continues his climb up the IUP career record book in multiple categories. He enters Monday's game just 18 points shy of the 1,500-point milestone and would be just the 14th player in program history to reach the mark.
- IUP has won eight consecutive games against Mansfield, with the last loss coming in January 2011. The Hawks cruised to a 97-61 victory last season against the Mounties on the road.
- IUP recorded more victories in 2022-23 (32) than Mansfield has as a program since 2018-19 (24).
- IUP has won seven consecutive against Bloomsburg, including last season's 69-49 road victory in December 2022.
- Dallis Dillard continues his uptick in production, taking on a larger role now in his junior season. Already a top-notch defensive presence from his guard position, Dillard is also 11th in the PSAC in scoring.
- The Hawks have found themselves near the top of the league in defensive metrics one again in 2023-24, something that's been a hallmark of the program over recent years. IUP is fourth in the PSAC in scoring defense (68.9) and third in the league in field goal percentage defense (.419).
- Led by Porterfield's 8.6 boards/game, which ranks fourth in the league, IUP leads the conference in rebounding average (42.5). The Hawks have hit the offensive boards in a big way of late, now second in the league in offensive rebounding average (15.0).
- Jaylen Stewart has stepped into the starting lineup over the last six games for the Hawks, averaging 9.1 points and 4.3 rebounds over that span.
MANSFIELD AT A GLANCE
- Mansfield has lost three of its last four contests, most recently a narrow 85-82 setback to Robert's Wesleyan on December 13. Saraj Ali and Idris Ali combined for 38 points on the night, including 15 field goals from the brothers.
- The Mounties lead the PSAC in defensive rebounding (30.17), thanks in large part to the production of 2023-23 PSAC East Rookie of the Year Saraj Ali (14.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 8 Blk, 9 Stl, .642 FG%).
- The Mounties have not won more than seven games in a season since head coach John Szentesy took over in 2018-19. The Mounties have some upward trajectory, however, with three wins before the end of the 2023 calendar year with three more games remaining until the new year.
BLOOMSBURG AT A GLANCE
- Bloomsburg has lost four straight entering the week of crossover action, including a 107-66 setback to Charleston (W.Va.) on December 14. The Huskies visit UPJ on December 18 before facing IUP the following day.
- The Huskies are fourth in the league in scoring (79.6) but last in the conference in scoring defense (96.5). Facing some high-powered offenses, including a retooled Gannon squad, the Huskies have allowed at least 100 points in two of the last four games.
- Jake Nelson leads the conference in rebounding (10.4), adding a team-best 16.3 points/game.
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HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
- Since the KCAC opened in the 2011-12 season, IUP has had an outstanding home court advantage to go along with a nationally prominent basketball program.
- Despite three setbacks this season, IUP boasts a 179-23 (.886) mark in home games since the venue opened, including postseason games.
- IUP has not lost more than four games at the KCAC in a season since the building opened.
- At the KCAC, the IUP men have won:
- 17 of 18 games in 2022-2023 (17-1; lone loss in Atlantic Region Championship)
- 41 of their last 46 (41-5)
- 57 of their last 62 (57-5)
- 76 or their last 83 (76-7)
- 88 of their last 99 (88-11)
- 104 of their last 118 (104-14)
THAT'S A LOT OF WINS!
- Since the 2018-19 season, IUP has gone 128-13 (.907) overall during full playing seasons.
- Entering the season, only 11 DII men's basketball programs have posted at least 100 wins in the four-year span from 2018-19 to 2022-23 (excluding 2020-21).
- IUP went 32-2 last season, marking the team's fifth 30-win since 2009-10, the most of any team in the PSAC.
THE REIGNING, DEFENDING PSAC CHAMPIONS
- IUP won its fourth consecutive PSAC Championship with a 54-53 win against Mercyhurst at Shippensburg on March 5, 2023.
- It marked the 13th PSAC Tournament championship in program history and is seventh conference title under HC Joe Lombardi, the most among active PSAC coaches and the second most in conference history.
- IUP's 13 titles are second behind Cheyney's 15.
- Ethan Porterfield was named the PSAC Tournament MVP for the second consecutive season, helping the carry the Hawks to victory throughout the conference tournament.
LOMBARDI AMONG THE ELITE COACHES IN ALL OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL
- Now in his 42nd overall season as a college coach, Joe Lombardi has been a central figure in elevating the IUP men's basketball program into one of the nation's best.
- Coaching his 18th season at the helm of the Crimson Hawks, Lombardi is the program's all-time leader in wins (405-111) with 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, seven PSAC tournament titles (2010, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023), three Atlantic Region Championships (2010, 2015, 2022) and two Division II National Championship Game appearances (2010, 2015).
- Lombardi ranks fifth among NCAA DII active head coaches in winning percentage (.785) with at least 10 years of experience and 15th among all-time among all NCAA divisions in winning percentage with at least 10 years of experience.
NCAA All Divisions All-Time Head Coach Win Percentage (min. 10 years' experience)
- .860 -- Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern) (502-82, 18 yrs) *
- .835 – Mark Few (Gonzaga) (695-137, 24 yrs) *
- .824 – Clair Bee (Rider/LIU Brooklyn) (412-88, 21 yrs)
- .822 – Adolph Rupp (Kentucky) (876-190, 41 yrs)
- .816 – Matt Logie (Whitworth/Point Loma/Montana State) (279-63, 12 yrs) *
- .811 – Bucky Harris (Jefferson) (240-56, 13 yrs)
- .810 – Dolph Staley (Beloit) (238-56, 12 yrs)
- .807 – Tom Brown (West Texas A&M) (243-58, 10 yrs) *
- .807 – Ben McCollum (Northwest Missouri State) (373-89, 14 yrs) *
- .804 – John Wooden (Indiana State/UCLA) (664-162, 29 yrs)
- .797 – John Kreese (College of Charleston) (400-108, 23 yrs)
- .794 – Bob Bolen (Glenville State) (494-129, 20 yrs) *
- .787 -- Josh Schertz (Indiana State (380-103, 16 yrs) *
- .786 – Dave Robbins (Virginia Union) (713-194, 30 yrs)
NCAA Division II Active Head Coach Winning Percentage (min. 10 years' experience)
- .860 – Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern) (502-82, 18 yrs)
- .807 – Tom Brown (West Texas A&M) (243-58, 10 yrs)
- .807 – Ben McCollum (Northwest Missouri State) (373-89, 14 yrs)
- .794 – Bob Bolen (Glenville State (494-129, 20 yrs)
- .756 – Jeff Young (Walsh) (441-142, 21 yrs)
PORTERFIELD AMONG THE TOP PLAYERS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
- Ethan Porterfield is the most experienced starter on the IUP roster and has been a key contributor during the recent run of success the last few seasons. The two-time reigning conference tournament MVP, Porterfield has made 108 career appearances for the Hawks with 98 starts.
- Porterfield is within striking distance of 1,500 career points and would be just the 14th active player across NCAA DII men's basketball to reach the scoring plateau.
- Now in his fourth season as a full-time starter, Porterfield has battled past injury and illness over the last few months to put together a storied career with the Crimson Hawks. He is among the top 15 in program history in several categories, including points (14th), field goals made (10th), three-point field goals made (9th), rebounds (7th) and blocks (3rd).
DOUBLE D SEEING INCREASED PRODUCTION
- Dallis Dillard has seen an elevated offensive role in 2023-24 season, tying in with his stout defensive prowess.
- Dillard ranks second in the PSAC in minutes/game (36:38) and 11th in the league in scoring average (16.9).
- Dillard has posted three games with 20 or more points, including a pair of double doubles against Concord and Shippensburg.
- Dillard dealt out a career-high seven assists in a win against Frostburg State in late November 2023.
CLARKE CARVING UP THE OPPOSITION
- Stepping in as the team's starting point guard after transferring in from Akron, Garvin Clarke has not missed a beat at IUP so far in 2023-24. The PSAC West Player of the Week on December 11, Clarke is 17th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (3.23).
- Clarke has been a primary distributor for the Hawks, but has also taken more of a role in scoring the basketball with two outing of at least 20 points in the last three games.
- He ranks third in the league in assists/game (3.2), passing out a career-high eight helpers in an all-around effort against Point Park on December 10.
RECORD BOOK WATCH
Career Points
9. 1,544 – Armoni Foster (2018-22)
10. 1,535 – Derrick Freeman (1993-96)
11. 1,526 -- Anthony Glover, Jr. (2014-18)
12. 1,525 -- Malik Miller (2016-20)
13. 1,510 -- Joe DeLise (1950-51, 55-58)
Career Field Goals Made
6. 578 – Gary Lupek (1966-69)
T7. 572 – Randy Allen (1971-74); 572 – Eddie Peterson (2002-06)
9. 571 – Robert Misenko (1992-96)
11. 554 – Joe DeLise (1950-51, 55-58)
12. 550 – Jamie Kimbrough (1955-59)
13. 546 – Ashton Smith (2008-12)
14. 545 – Julian Sanders (2008-12)
15. 544 – Malik Miller (2016-20)
Career Three-Point Field Goals Made
7. 195 -- Geoff Evans (1998-01)
8. 187 -- Aaron Faulkner (1999-02)
6. 738 – Sam Scott (1977-82)
8. 672 -- Mike Mitten (1977-81)
9. 653 -- Tom Kerstetter (1969-72)
10. 632 -- Bob Bence (1962-66)
Career Blocks
1. 207 -- Devon Cottrell (2012-17)
2. 162 -- Darryl Webb (2007-11)
3. 144 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
FOLLOW
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP men's basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_MBB.
