INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP men's basketball came out of the gates strong and did not look back, riding another career high output from Ethan Porterfield in a 77-55 victory against Pitt-Johnstown on Wednesday night at the KCAC.
 
IUP (15-8, 12-5) shot nearly 49% from the floor in the first half and Porterfield moved into sole possession of second on the school's all-time scoring list in the process. Leading 48-26 at the intermission, the Hawks used a 12-2 start to the contest and held serve throughout the second half.
 
Porterfield dropped in a career high for the second consecutive contest, pouring in 33 points (12-15 FG) and four rebounds. Porterfield needed 11 points to match Jacobo Diaz (1,747), moving to second all-time at the foul line.
 
His stellar effort pushes him to 1,769 career points, also jumping to third in career field goals made (660), just one shy of Derrick Freeman (661) for second in program history. Bryce Radford fired in 12 points and Garvin Clarke posted a double-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and five steals in an all-around performance.
 
Vinnie Cuguini posted 15 points and four rebounds to lead UPJ (6-18, 4-14) and Andy Zuchelli added 11 more.
 
KJ Rhodes buried a three off an earlier IUP offensive rebound early before Clarke stretched the advantage to 28-15 at the 8:24 mark of the opening half. UPJ sliced the deficit to 10 on a Gavin Headings hoop before Damir Brooks converted on the next trip down the floor.
 
The Hawks finished the half on a 19-5 surge, that included three late foul shots from Radford that ballooned the advantage to 22 at the break. IUP slowed the pace for much of the second half, working deep into the shot clock with a large lead.
 
The Mountain Cats got within 15 in the second half (65-50) before IUP reeled off the next 12 points with about one minute remaining in regulation. Porterfield converted consecutive triples at 2:42 and 2:20 to secure a new career high, finishing passes from Clarke and Rhodes.
 
IUP HC Joe Lombardi moved to 22-4 lifetime against Pitt-Johnstown, including wins in 10 of the last 12 meetings and six straight in Indiana.
 
Up Next
IUP travels to Edinboro on Saturday, February 17 for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff.
 
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP men's basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_MBB.  
 

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