CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Third-ranked IUP men's basketball needed to withstand a second half surge from California (Pa.), holding on for an 80-77 victory in the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.
IUP (27-1, 21-1) closes out the regular season with five straight wins, already locked into the top spot in the upcoming Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament regardless of Saturday's result. The victory secures the highest winning percentage in the regular season in program history.
Leading by as many as 17 points in the first half, IUP withstood several charges from a resilient Cal U (15-13, 12-10) side in the second half. The victory marked the 20th straight win for the Hawks against the Vulcans as head coach
Joe Lombardi moves to 31-6 all-time against the division opponent.
The Vulcans fired in 50 points in the second half, placing five scorers in double figures in a valiant effort that came up just short.
Shawndale Jones poured in a game-high 22 points (12-15 FT) with five assists, while
Dave Morris racked up 20 points, three assists and two steals.
Ethan Porterfield continued his traditional success against Cal, logging 18 points and nine rebounds (five offensive). Tomiwa Suaiman posted nine points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes of action.
Keith Palek III logged 19 points for the host Vulcans, while Jermaine Hall Jr. posted a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Cam Polak notched 13 points with KJ McClurg and Donald Whitehead Jr. chipping in 10 each. Cal went 8-for-13 from beyond the arc in the second half to help close the gap.
IUP used a quick start in the opening half, predicated with stout defense, to build an early advantage. Consecutive Morris triples lifted the Hawks ahead 14-4 before a triple from
Jaylen Stewart worked the advantage to 22-7.
Sulaiman continued the strong shooting from deep, knocking down a three for a 27-10 cushion at the 7:47 mark of the opening half. Morris reached double figures with a carving layup as IUP continued its balanced play on both sides of the floor.
Jones and Morris each added triples as the Hawks stretched the lead to 37-21. The Hawks went 57.1% from the floor and 61.5% from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes, which included a Morris triple with the half expiring.
Cal U eventually narrowed the gap back to single digits in the opening five minutes of the second half. Consecutive triples for the Vulcans brought their deficit to within six at the 16:37 mark before IUP expanded the advantage back to double figures.
In transition, Morris dunked in the open court for a 53-42 advantage before the Vulcans countered with the next five points to get within 53-47. Off an offensive board, Jones stuck a triple to provide IUP a double figure advantage at 58-47.
From there, the IUP lead hovered around 10 before the Vulcans again made a push to narrow the deficit. Both sides traded buckets over the next several minutes as Cal U rattled off a 7-0 run, capped by a triple from Polak, to get back within 72-69.
Dallis Dillard responded with a clutch trey, pushing IUP to a 75-69 lead before contesting on the defensive end. Jones made it a two-possession game at the foul line with IUP ahead 76-71 at the 1:54 mark.
The Hawks came up with a big defensive stop with just 46 seconds left, later cashing in at the foul line for a 78-71 edge. Hall Jr. answered back with a quick three, keeping Cal within striking distance at 78-74.
The Hawks faltered a bit down the stretch at the foul line, allowing the Vulcans to stay in the game at 78-77. Jones converted a pair of timely foul shots with just 14.4 seconds left for an 80-77 advantage, the final margin.
Up Next
IUP awaits the winner of the 4/5 matchup, hosting the PSAC Quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Follow
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