GAME INFORMATION – CLARION
- Game 25: IUP at Clarion
- When: Saturday, February 11 – 3:00 p.m.
- Where: Tippin Gymnasium – Clarion, Pa.
- Social Media Updates: Twitter (@IUP_MBB)
- Live Video: PSAC Digital Network
- Live Audio: U92.5 FM (U92 Sports Channel)
- Live Stats: SIDEARM
- Season Stats: IUP | Clarion
INDIANA, Pa. – The veteran presence of the IUP men's basketball team, under the guidance of 17th-year head coach
Joe Lombardi, lends itself well to the stretch run. The Hawks are focused on the task at hand and the process of daily improvement, returning to the court on Saturday afternoon to face Clarion at Tippin Gymnasium for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff.
IUP (23-1, 17-1) bounced back for a 70-60 win earlier in the week against Pitt-Johnstown following a strong second-half effort. The Hawks received contributions from throughout the lineup, including the team-leading 10th double-double of the season from sophomore sparkplug
Tomiwa Sulaiman.
Sulaiman was just two points shy of matching a career-best with 24 points (10-18 FG), pulling down a season-high 15 rebounds. Along with Sulaiman,
Ethan Porterfield toughed out 19 points and eight rebounds in 37 minutes.
Dave Morris splashed home four triples, posting 16 points with five rebounds and four steals.
The Hawks overcame some shaky play in the first half, bouncing back to shoot 61.2% from the field over the final 20 minutes. A series of triples from Morris worked the score tied and eventually put IUP ahead for good in the second half against Pitt-Johnstown, extending the team's home winning streak to 27 straight at the KCAC.
The Hawks boast the highest winning percentage in NCAA DII basketball since 2019-20, going 84-6 (.931) overall with marks of 28-2, 33-3 and 22-1, not counting the 2020-21 season where most schools did not play.
IUP has been among the best defensive teams in the nation over the last several seasons, and 2022-23 is no different. The Hawks lead the country in field goal percentage and are fifth nationally in scoring defense, surrendering under 59 points/contest.
Shawndale Jones, the leading scorer in the conference at 20.3 points/game, was held in check with five points against UPJ. Jones was impactful in other ways, distributing six assists with a steal for IUP, also chipping in five boards to help the Hawks hold a big advantage on the glass.
Clarion (3-20, 1-16) is looking to battle back from consecutive losses, most recently a 66-56 setback to Seton Hill last Monday. The Golden Eagles are hosting the Hawks for their final home game of the season, finishing out the year with four straight on the road.
Clarion's Gerald Jarmon logged 20 points as the offense opened up for both sides in the second half. Justice Easter added 11 points and seven rebounds for the Golden Eagles, who rank third in the conference in blocks/game (3.7) and fourth in the league in offensive rebounding (12.2).
Lombardi is 28-4 lifetime against Clarion with 23 consecutive wins dating back to 2010-11. Part of that extended winning streak was an 87-55 triumph at the KCAC in early January. Jones was one of four Hawks in double figures with 23 points in the opening meeting of the season.
