INDIANA, Pa. – Third-ranked IUP men's basketball asserted its will on the defensive end in the second half, pulling away for a 60-45 victory against Virginia Union here Sunday in the 2023 NCAA DII Men's Basketball Atlantic Region Semifinals.
IUP (32-1) dictated the game in the second half with a lockdown defensive effort, leading to a 23-0 surge that spanned over 12 minutes and pushed the Hawks ahead for good. The top-seeded Hawks advance to the Atlantic Region Championship Game on Tuesday against second-seeded West Liberty.
Head coach
Joe Lombardi secured his 400th career victory on Sunday as IUP moves to 10-5 in NCAA second round games. It marks the second straight appearance in the Atlantic Region Championship and the program's 10th all-time appearance in the Sweet Sixteen.
Dave Morris tallied 16 points and three rebounds as one of three Crimson Hawks in double figures.
Shawndale Jones added 12 points and four boards, while
Jaylen Stewart added 10 points and six rebounds.
Ethan Porterfield battled inside against an athletic and lanky Virginia Union (24-8) squad, posting eight points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
The Hawks held VUU to just 25% shooting for the game and 21.2% (7-33) in the second half. After falling short on the glass to start the game, IUP was outrebounded by just one (44-43),
IUP eventually found its shooting touch in the first half, elevating its percentage from the floor to 40% for the frame with a stretch that flipped the momentum and pushed the hosts ahead. Stewart logged seven points in a balanced first half, with Morris,
Tomiwa Sulaiman and Porterfield posting six points each.
Virginia Union used a big advantage in second chance points to open up a lead for a large chunk of the first half. IUP eventually closed the gap and took the lead with under five minutes left in the opening stanza.
Virginia Union attacked the offensive glass early and opened up an 8-2 advantage at the onset of the contest. Morris knocked down a triple off a Porterfield kickout pass before the game's initial media timeout.
The Panthers stretched the advantage to 13-5 before IUP countered back with a dunk from Stewart off a lob from Porterfield. The dunk kickstarted a 7-0 spur that brought the Crimson Hawks within one at 13-12.
IUP began to find a rhythm on the defensive end but could not take back the momentum. Sulaiman raced back for a rejection on a Harding attempt, hitting the deck for his second hard fall in a short span.
Dallis Dillard was the beneficiary of some excellent ball movement, canning a triple from the right wing and slicing the deficit to 18-17 at the 6:44 mark of the opening half. The basket came with almost a sigh of relief as IUP could not find the hoop despite several offensive rebounds on the previous possession, shooting under 30% despite getting the job done on defense.
Stewart dropped in a triple to work the score tied at 22, eventually handing IUP its first lead of the game with a jumper that came after a drawn charge from Sulaiman, who finished the game with a game-high +16 plus-minus rating. It was all part of a larger 11-1 run that spanned over three minutes and propelled the Hawks in front at 30-23.
IUP used a flurry of three-point baskets, including a pair each from Jones and Morris for a 47-32 advantage. The Hawks stretched its lead to double figures, clamping down defensively and holding VUU scoreless for over 11 minutes. Dillard raced the floor and converted through contact off a Sulaiman steal as the IUP surge continued, leading 50-32.
Virginia Union missed 21 consecutive field goal attempts, eventually converting at the foul line at the 5:19 mark of the second half.
The Hawks cruised from there, finishing out the postseason victory for the team's 30th straight home win.
Up Next
IUP hosts number two seed West Liberty in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Tuesday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Follow
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