INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP men's basketball team visits Seton Hill on Wednesday, January 24 for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at the McKenna Center.
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (11-5, 8-2 PSAC) at Seton Hill (10-6, 5-5 PSAC)
Wednesday, January 204 2024 – 7:30 p.m. – McKenna Center – Greensburg, Pa.
TIPOFF NEWS AND NOTES
- IUP has won 10 of the last 12 games and enters the week with an 8-2 mark in conference play. IUP has posted a combined 106-13 (.890) record in regular season conference play since the 2017-18 season.
- IUP has gone 47-4 (.921) in January since the 2017-18 season, including a 24-1 home mark in January games over that span.
- IUP built a double figure lead early in the second half and held off Edinboro throughout in a workmanlike 72-60 victory against the Fighting Scots on January 20.
- Ethan Porterfield became the ninth player in program history to reach at least 1,600 career points last time out. Porterfield is 10 points shy of moving to seventh on the IUP all-time scoring list, also one block away from 150.
- Garvin Clarke has caught fire of late for IUP, named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week on January 22. Clarke averaged 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in two games last week, playing all 40 minutes in both outings against Pitt-Johnstown and Edinboro.
- IUP HC Joe Lombardi is one victory shy of moving into a tie for third on the all-time PSAC men's basketball coaching wins list. A victory would match the 412 wins held by Edinboro's Greg Walcavich (1990-2012).
- Lombardi is 21-1 lifetime against Seton Hill, including 8-0 in Greensburg since 2010.
- IUP is looking to keep pace along the top tier of the PSAC West, alongside Gannon and Cal U. Those three programs enter the week with at least three games separating the remainder of the division.
- The Hawks will play four contests in a week from January 24 to January 31, part of a loaded slate to finish January. IUP visits Seton Hill on Wednesday before hosting Slippery Rock (Jan. 27) and Cal U (Jan. 29) at the KCAC, rounding out the month at Clarion (Jan. 31).
- IUP continues to get the job done defensively, one of the cornerstones of the program. The Hawks enter the week second in the league and 21st nationally in scoring defense (66.5).
- Clarke enters the week third in the PSAC in assists/game (5.1), third in assist/turnover ratio (+2.06), third in steals/game (2.29) and third in minutes/game (36:35).
SETON HILL AT A GLANCE
- Mercyhurst hit a three pointer at the buzzer to stun Seton Hill last time out and leave Greensburg with a 68-66 victory over the Griffins.
- Ryan Meis leads the way for SHU with 15.4 points/game, while Caleb Whitaker is the top rebounder with 5.4 rebounds/game.
- SHU is third in the league with 8.6 steals/game.
- Second year head coach Ben Wilkins has orchestrated a turnaround for the Griffins since taking over, posting 16 wins last season and leading the Griffins to the PSAC Tournament for the first time in three seasons.
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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 184-23 (.888) 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)
- 46 of their last 51 (46-5)
- 62 of their last 67 (62-5)
- 81 or their last 88 (81-7)
- 93 of their last 104 (93-11)
- 109 of their last 123 (109-14)
THAT'S A LOT OF WINS!
- Since the 2018-19 season, IUP has gone 134-15 (.899) 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.
CLARKE CARVING UP THE OPPOSITION
- Stepping in as the team's starting point guard after transferring in from Akron, Garvin Clarke returned from a two-game absence on January 10. The PSAC West Player of the Week on December 11 and January 22, Clarke is third in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (+2.06).
- Clarke has been a primary distributor for the Hawks, but has also taken more of a role in scoring the basketball with five outings of at least 20 points this season.
- He ranks third in the league in assists/game (5.1) and third in steals/game (2.2), passing out a career-high nine helpers in an all-around effort against Mansfield on December 18, 2023.
- Clarke helped guide IUP to a road win at UPJ with 27 points (11-22 FG), 10 rebounds, three assists and five steals in 40 minutes on January 17, 2024. He followed it up with another carrer scoring effort, notching 30 points (10-15 FG), four rebounds, six assists and two steals in 40 minutes against Edinboro.
RADFORD ENJOYING STORYBOOK RETURN TO INDIANA
- Bryce Radford returned to IUP in December 2023, playing with the program from 2020-22. He played the 2022-23 season at WVU tech and was not playing basketball as a full-time employee prior to rejoining the squad a few weeks ago.
- Radford made a big impact in his return to the KCAC, tying the school record with eight three-point field goals in a 78-48 win against Shepherd on January 3, 2024.
- The Beckley, W.Va. native has converted at least five triples in three of his initial six games with the Crimson Hawks.
- Radford was part of the 2021-22 NCAA DII Final Four team that won the PSAC and Atlantic Region crowns with a 33-3 overall record.
STEWEY STEPPING IN SEAMLESSLY FOR IUP
- Jaylen Stewart, a transfer from Seton Hill, has taken on a larger role and emerged as a viable starting guard for the Crimson Hawks this season.
- Stewart is averaging just under 10 points/game this season, also third on the team with 30 assists.
- Stewart has started 10 conference games for IUP this season, averaging over 30 minutes/contest in that stretch.
- He fired in a career-high 25 points against Sheherd on January 3, playing at least 30 minutes in the last six outings.
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 (411-113) 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 one win 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. .858 -- Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern) (509-84, 18 yrs) *
2. .833 – Mark Few (Gonzaga) (700-140, 24 yrs) *
3. .824 – Clair Bee (Rider/LIU Brooklyn) (412-88, 21 yrs)
4. .822 – Adolph Rupp (Kentucky) (876-190, 41 yrs)
5. .813 – Tom Brown (West Texas A&M) (252-58, 10 yrs) *
6. .811 – Bucky Harris (Jefferson) (240-56, 13 yrs)
7. .810 – Dolph Staley (Beloit) (238-56, 12 yrs)
8. .808 – Ben McCollum (Northwest Missouri State) (378-90, 14 yrs) *
8. .807 – Matt Logie (Whitworth/Point Loma/Montana State) (284-68, 13 yrs) *
10. .804 – John Wooden (Indiana State/UCLA) (664-162, 29 yrs)
11. .797 – John Kreese (College of Charleston) (400-108, 23 yrs)
12. .790 – Bob Bolen (Glenville State) (498-132, 20 yrs) *
13. .787 -- Josh Schertz (Indiana State (387-105, 16 yrs) *
13 .786 – Dave Robbins (Virginia Union) (713-194, 30 yrs)
16. .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. .858 – Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern) (509-84, 18 yrs)
2. .813 – Tom Brown (West Texas A&M) (252-58, 10 yrs)
3. .808 – Ben McCollum (Northwest Missouri State) (377-90, 14 yrs)
4. .790 – Bob Bolen (Glenville State (498-132, 20 yrs)
6. .758 – Jeff Young (Walsh) (448-143, 21 yrs)
PSAC Men's Basketball All-Time Coaching Victories
Note: Accounts for victories while coaching at a PSAC school only; UPJ transitioned from the WVIAC to the PSAC but all wins are reflected
1. 559 – Charles Chronister (Bloomsburg; 1972-2002)
2. 553 – Bob Rukavina (Pitt-Johnstown; 1989-Present) *
3. 412 – Greg Walcavich (Edinboro; 1990-2012)
5. 393 – 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 102 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 (9th; 17.2), rebounds per game (4th; 8.8), double-doubles (2nd; 6), minutes/game (4th; 36:33) and total three-point field goals made (5th; 40).
- 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 (9th), field goals made (5th), three-point field goals made (7th), rebounds (6th) and blocks (3rd).
RECORD BOOK WATCH
Career Points
3. 1,715 – Robert Misenko (1992-96)
4. 1,678 – Brndon Norfleet (2012-16*)
5. 1,655 – Julian Sanders (2008-12)
6. 1,635 – Ashton Smith (2008-12)
7. 1,621 – Eddie Peterson (2002-06)
9. 1,603 -- Dante Lombardi (2015-19)
10. 1,564 -- Jack Crossan (1952-56)
11. 1,544 – Armoni Foster (2018-22)
Career Field Goals Made
1. 708 – Darryl Webb (2007-11)
2. 661 – Derrick Freeman (1993-96)
3. 653 – Jack Crossan (1952-56)
4. 651 – Jacobo Diaz (2015-19)
6. 585 – Sam Scott (1977-82)
7. 578 – Gary Lupek (1966-69)
T8. 572 – Randy Allen (1971-74); 572 – Eddie Peterson (2002-06)
Career Three-Point Field Goals Made
5. 229 – Anthony Glover Jr. (2015-18)
7. 200 – Malik Miller (2016-20)
8. 195 -- Geoff Evans (1998-01)
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)
7. 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. 149 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
Three-Pointers Made (Game)
T1. 8 -- John Sanow; Edinboro (2/18/87)
T1. 8 -- Geoff Evans; Strayer (2/3/01)
T1. 8 -- Dante Lombardi; E. Stroudsburg (1/16/19)
T1. 8 – Bryce Radford; Shepherd (1/3/24)
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP men's basketball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_MBB.
