INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP men's basketball team returns home for the first time in around two weeks, closing out the PSAC crossover portion of the schedule on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 against Shepherd.
 
Tipoff from the KCAC is set for around 7:30 p.m. as the second game of a doubleheader.
 
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (7-4, 4-1 PSAC) vs. Shepherd (5-5, 2-3 PSAC)  
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 – 7:30 p.m. – KCAC – Indiana, Pa.
Game Coverage: Live Video (PSAC Digital Network) – Live Stats – Live Audio (U92.5FM)
Social Media Updates: @IUP_MBB on X (formerly Twitter)
 
TIPOFF NEWS AND NOTES

• IUP is looking to adjust going into the new year, working players into different roles for 2024 in an up and down season. Looking to replace three All-PSAC First Team performers from last season, the Crimson Hawks will now be without starters Dallis Dillard and Garvin Clarke.
• IUP dropped just its fourth regular season conference game since 2021-22 in a 65-48 setback to East Stroudsburg last time out on December 30. It marked ESU's first victory against IUP inside Koehler Fieldhouse since January 2013 and the Hawks' lowest scoring output in a game since January 2012.
• Putting a somewhat patchwork lineup on the floor with limited practice time following the holiday, Bryce Radford and Josh Petteno stepped into the starting five against the Warriors. It marked Radford's official return to the IUP roster as a midyear addition, seeing his first action as a Crimson Hawk since March 2022 at the NCAA DII Final Four against Augusta.
• IUP ranks 12th in NCAA DII in rebounding average (41.6) and ninth nationally in offensive rebounding average (14.4).
• IUP HC Joe Lombardi boasts a 2-0 record against Shepherd, most recently a 65-46 home win in December 2021 against the Rams at the KCAC. Ethan Porterfield logged a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds in that victory.
• Porterfield continues his climb up the IUP record book in multiple categories following his 15th career double-double on December 30 against ESU. He enters the game 11th in program history with 1,538 career points, just seven shy of surpassing Armoni Foster (1,544) and moving into the top 10 on the school's all-time scoring list.
• Porterfield and Jaylen Stewart each played at least 36 minutes against East Stroudsburg. Off the bench, Jordan Lambert, Dolan Waldo and KJ Rhodes spelled Petteno, Damir Brooks and Radford.
• The Hawks will look to solidify its shooting from beyond the arc heading into 2024. IUP is second in the league in three-point attempts/game (25.3) but second worst in three-point percentage (.291) heading into Wednesday's contest.
• IUP is second in the PSAC in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to a 41.6% clip for the season.

 
SHEPHERD AT A GLANCE

• Shepherd enters the contest following consecutive wins against Erie County schools, most recently a 61-57 home triumph against Mercyhurst on December 30. Marcus Banks logged a game-high 15 points with four rebounds in the victory.
• The Rams rank ninth in NCAA DII in scoring defense (63.2), also third the league in field goal percentage defense (42.4).
• Shepherd boasts several capable scoring options with four players averaging double figures, led by Daniel McClain-Corley's 14.7 points/game.

 
---
 
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 181-23 (.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) 
  • 43 of their last 48 (43-5) 
  • 59 of their last 64 (59-5) 
  • 78 or their last 85 (78-7)
  • 90 of their last 101 (90-11)
  • 106 of their last 120 (106-14)

 
THAT'S A LOT OF WINS!

• Since the 2018-19 season, IUP has gone 130-14 (.902) 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.

 
HAWKS LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION

• Tasked with replacing a combined 31 points, 12 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 3.2 steals/game for the time being in the void left by Dillard and Clarke, the Hawks are seeking additional sources if production just head of divisional play beginning.
• Stewart has three double figure scoring games this season for IUP and is looking to build off a solid showing as the team's primary point guard at ESU, registering 12 points, four rebounds and five assists.
• Along the interior, Brooks has seen an increase in minutes since becoming part of the starting lineup, grabbing five or more rebounds in six consecutive contests.

   
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 (407-112) 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).
• He is one of four coaches in PSAC men's basketball history to reach at least 400 career wins, now five wins shy of matching Edinboro's Greg Walcavich for third on the conference's all-time wins list.
• Lombardi ranks fifth among NCAA DII active head coaches in winning percentage (.784) 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)
1. .860 -- Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern) (505-82, 18 yrs) *
2. .834 – Mark Few (Gonzaga) (697-139, 24 yrs) *
3. .824 – Clair Bee (Rider/LIU Brooklyn) (412-88, 21 yrs)
4. .822 – Adolph Rupp (Kentucky) (876-190, 41 yrs)
5. .813 – Matt Logie (Whitworth/Point Loma/Montana State) (282-65, 12 yrs) *
6. .811 – Bucky Harris (Jefferson) (240-56, 13 yrs)
T7. .810 – Dolph Staley (Beloit) (238-56, 12 yrs)
T7. .810 – Tom Brown (West Texas A&M) (247-58, 10 yrs) *
9. .808 – Ben McCollum (Northwest Missouri State) (374-89, 14 yrs) *
10. .804 – John Wooden (Indiana State/UCLA) (664-162, 29 yrs)
11. .797 – John Kreese (College of Charleston) (400-108, 23 yrs)
12. .792 – Bob Bolen (Glenville State) (495-130, 20 yrs) *
T13. .786 -- Josh Schertz (Indiana State (382-104, 16 yrs) *
T13 .786 – Dave Robbins (Virginia Union) (713-194, 30 yrs)
T15. .784 – Joe Lombardi (IUP) (407-111, 18 yrs) *
T15. 784 – Jerry Tarkanian (Fresno St/Long Beach St/UNLV) (729-201, 31 yrs)
 
NCAA Division II Active Head Coach Winning Percentage (min. 10 years' experience)
1. .860 – Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern) (505-82, 18 yrs)
2. .810 – Tom Brown (West Texas A&M) (247-58, 10 yrs)
3. .808 – Ben McCollum (Northwest Missouri State) (374-89, 14 yrs)
4. .792 – Bob Bolen (Glenville State (495-130, 20 yrs)
5. .784 – Joe Lombardi (IUP) (407-112, 18 yrs)
6. .756 – Jeff Young (Walsh) (443-143, 21 yrs)
 
PSAC Men's Basketball All-Time Coaching Victories
1. 559 – Charles Chronister (Bloomsburg; 1972-2002)
2. 552 – Bob Rukavina (Pitt-Johnstown; 1989-Present) *
3. 412 – Greg Walcavich (Edinboro; 1990-2012)
4. 407—Joe Lombardi (IUP; 2006-Present) *
5. 389 – Jeff Wilson (East Stroudsburg; 2002-Present) *
6. 370 – Dick Delaney (West Chester; 1987-2008)
 
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 won 100 collegiate games during his tenure with the Hawks.
• Porterfield reached 1,500 career points during IUP's win against Mansfield on December 18. He is one of just four players in program history with at least 1,500 points and 700 rebounds.
• This season, Porterfield ranks near the top of the PSAC in several statistical areas, including: points per game (7th; 18.3), rebounds per game (3rd; 9.2), double-doubles (1st; 5), minutes/game (3rd; 36:22), total three-point field goals made (4th; 28) and assist/turnover ratio (6th; 1.89).
• 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 (11th), field goals made (T6th), three-point field goals made (8th), rebounds (7th) and blocks (3rd).

RECORD BOOK WATCH
Career Points
6. 1,635 – Ashton Smith (2008-12)
7. 1,621 – Eddie Peterson (2002-06)
8. 1,603 -- Dante Lombardi (2015-19)
9. 1,564 -- Jack Crossan (1952-56)
10. 1,544 – Armoni Foster (2018-22)
11. 1,538 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
12. 1,535 – Derrick Freeman (1993-96)
13. 1,526 -- Anthony Glover, Jr. (2014-18)
14. 1,525 -- Malik Miller (2016-20)
15. 1,510 -- Joe DeLise (1950-51, 55-58)

Career Field Goals Made
4. 651 – Jacobo Diaz (2015-19)
5. 585 – Sam Scott (1977-82)
T6. 578 – Gary Lupek (1966-69); Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
T8. 572 – Randy Allen (1971-74); 572 – Eddie Peterson (2002-06)
10. 571 – Robert Misenko (1992-96)
11. 554 – Joe DeLise (1950-51, 55-58)
12. 550 – Jamie Kimbrough (1955-59)

Career Three-Point Field Goals Made
7. 195 -- Geoff Evans (1998-01)
8. 189 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
9. 187 -- Aaron Faulkner (1999-02)
10. 181 -- Eddie Peterson (2002-06)
11. 164 -- Devante Chance (2011-15)
 
Career Rebounds
5. 826 – Robert Misenko (1992-96)
6. 738 – Sam Scott (1977-82)
7. 729 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-23)
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. 145 -- 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. 
 

---