INDIANA, Pa. – Seton Hill made enough plays throughout the second half, quelling IUP's comeback effort in a 72-70 setback to the Griffins on Wednesday night inside the KCAC.
 
Seton Hill (14-11, 9-10) got a big win as a team eight on the bubble of the playoffs. The victory also marked the first Seton Hill win against IUP (16-9, 13-6) in Indiana since the start of the head-to-head series.
 
A close game throughout, the matchup featured six ties and 12 lead changes in a slugfest of a game. SHU led for the final 8:02 of the game as IUP continually worked to chip away, guided by a game-high 26 points (11-17 FG) from Ethan Porterfield.
 
Garvin Clarke posted 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for his fourth double-double of the season, while Jaylen Stewart dished out a career-high nine assists against his former school. The Crimson Hawks got within one possession on three occasions over the final 2:25, unable to get over the top despite a big effort.
 
KJ Rhodes had 11 points for the Hawks, which shot 46.6% for the game. Ten Seton Hill players found the scoresheet, led by 14 points off the bench from Sean Dillon. Jimmy Moon notched 11 points and nine rebounds, while Drew Green chipped in 10 points and five boards for the visitors.
 
The pesky Griffins hung around in an evenly played first half, taking a 36-34 edge into the intermission. After some success early from beyond the arc, IUP cooled off and the Griffins took advantage.
 
Porterfield posted a game-high 11 points in the first half for the Hawks, who shared the ball well with 10 assists on 14 field goals through the initial 20 minutes. Neither side could expand its cushion beyond six points in the opening half, a precursor into the second 20 minutes.
 
The Hawks used a 12-2 spurt, capped by an and-one from Porterfield at the 12:10 mark. That run pushed IUP to a 49-45 margin before the Griffins countered with an 8-2 blitz of their own.
 
Dillon's stepback triple at the 8:20 mark made the score 56-54 and IUP would not get closer than one the rest of the way, one of three big baskets for the veteran guard. Attempting to extend the game with fouls to give, the Griffins did just enough at the foul line to hold on.
 
Bryce Radford logged 10 points for the Hawks, one of four IUP players in double figures.
 
Up Next
IUP heads to rival Slippery Rock on Saturday, February 24 for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff.
 
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