INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP men's basketball team hosts No. 8/4 Gannon Saturday afternoon at the KCAC. Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m.   
 
Live video coverage will be provided on the PSAC Digital Network (IUP-TV Sports), along with live audio on U92.5FM with the Voice of the Hawks, Jack Benedict.
 
In addition to a divisional matchup against a top-10 nationally ranked opponent, IUP will celebrate Alumni Day/Faith Night on Saturday at the KCAC. Among the halftime festivities is a special 50th anniversary recognition of the 1973-74 men's basketball team that won the PSAC Championship and advanced to the NAIA Tournament. Following the game, the free Faith Night ceremony (sponsored by the IUP Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will commence on the court of the KCAC.
 
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (14-7, 11-4 PSAC) vs. No. 8/4 Gannon (20-2, 14-2 PSAC)
Saturday, February 10 – 3:00 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

• The Crimson Hawks worked the score tied at the end of regulation and twice in the first overtime period, ultimately running out of steam in a 95-83 double overtime loss to Mercyhurst last time out on February 7.
• Gannon (20-2) leads all NCAA DI and DII men's basketball programs in scoring average (106.0). The Knights are one of three teams in NCAA DII to average at least 100 or more points/game, joining Nova Southeastern (103.0) and West Liberty (101.6), all which play a similar style.
• All seven of IUP's losses have come against teams that are .500 or better. Combined, the opponents that have bested IUP this season enter the weekend with an overall record of 118-30 (.797).
• Ethan Porterfield and Garvin Clarke went the distance in the double overtime game against Mercyhurst, each playing 50 minutes in the contest. Porterfield recorded another double-double with 22 points and 16 rebounds, while Clarke registered 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds.  
• Porterfield is fourth on the school's all-time scoring list (1,705), now just 11 points shy of surpassing Robert Misenko (1,715) for third all-time. Porterfield was one of 25 student-athletes named to the Trevor Hudgins Watch List, given to the senior with the top overall four-year career across small college basketball.
• KJ Rhodes poured in a career high 18 points (4-5 3FG), providing IUP with a big spark from beyond the arc in the first half against Mercyhurst. Rhodes has entered the IUP starting lineup over the last six games.
• IUP HC has a 23-12 lifetime record against Gannon, including nine straight wins in Indiana since 2016. The last Gannon win against IUP in Indiana came 10 years ago in February 2014.
• The Golden Knights feature a fast-paced pressing style of play under first-year head coach Jordan Fee, who has swiftly turned around the fortunes of the program in just one season. Gannon forces 23.6 turnovers/game (2nd in DII) and averages 13.3 steals/game (2nd in DII).
• IUP is third in the PSAC in scoring defense (68.1).
• IUP has won 13 of the last 17 games, entering the week with an 11-4 mark in conference play (third place).
• IUP has posted a combined 109-15 (.879) record in regular season conference play since the 2017-18 season.
• IUP is 34-7 (.829) in February games since the start of the 2017-18 season.
• Gannon's 84-58 victory against IUP on January 13 was the largest margin of defeat (26 points) for the Crimson Hawks since a 24-point setback (71-47) in January 2012 against Mercyhurst.
• Since January 17, Clarke is averaging 24.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.7 steals and shooting 44.2% (62-140) from the floor.

 
GANNON AT A GLANCE

• Gannon posted its 20th win of the season with a convincing 124-82 victory over Edinboro, scoring 100+ points for the 13th time in the process. Josh Omojafo had his way along the low block with 20 points (8-12 FG). Ernest Shelton added 21 points, three bounds and two blocks for the Knights off the bench.
• The Knights are among the national leaders in multiple statistical categories, including scoring offense (1st; 106.0), fastbreak points (1st; 27.5), free throws/game (1st; 22.4), turnover margin (2nd; +10.3), offensive rebounding (3rd; 15.0) and field goal percentage (10th; 50.5).
• Derrick James, who missed the last game against Edinboro, is second in the PSAC in assist/turnover ratio (+2.59).
• Fee became just the fourth head coach in Gannon history to secure a 20-win season in his first year at the helm.
• The Knights have clinched a berth in the PSAC Tournament with six regular season games remaining.

 
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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 four setbacks this season, IUP boasts a 185-24 (.885) 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) 
  • 47 of their last 53 (47-6) 
  • 63 of their last 69 (63-6) 
  • 82 or their last 90 (82-8)
  • 94 of their last 106 (94-12)
  • 110 of their last 125 (110-15)

 
THAT'S A LOT OF WINS!

• Since the 2018-19 season, IUP has gone 137-17 (.889) 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 (+2.22).  
• Clarke has been a primary distributor for the Hawks, but has also taken more of a role in scoring the basketball, moving to the team's top scorer (17.8 PPG; 9th in the PSAC).
• He ranks second in the league in assists/game (5.4) and third in steals/game (2.3), 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 career scoring effort, notching 30 points (10-15 FG), four rebounds, six assists and two steals in 40 minutes against Edinboro.
• He's played the entire game each of the last three contests for IUP, scoring 21 or more in each of those outings.

 
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. He later set the school record for three-point baskets in a game, converting nine times from beyond the arc against Slippery Rock.
• The Beckley, W.Va. native has converted at least four triples seven times this season 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 39 assists.
• Stewart has started all 15 conference games for IUP this season, averaging over 30 minutes/contest in that stretch.
• He fired in a career-high 25 points against Shepherd on January 3, playing at least 30 minutes in the last 10 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 (414-115) 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, ranking third on the conference's all-time wins list.
• Lombardi ranks fifth among NCAA DII active head coaches in winning percentage (.783) with at least 10 years of experience and 16th 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. .859 -- Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern) (513-84, 18 yrs) *
2. .833 – Mark Few (Gonzaga) (705-141, 24 yrs) *
3. .824 – Clair Bee (Rider/LIU Brooklyn) (412-88, 21 yrs)
4. .822 – Adolph Rupp (Kentucky) (876-190, 41 yrs)
5. .816 – Tom Brown (West Texas A&M) (257-58, 10 yrs) *
6. .811 – Bucky Harris (Jefferson) (240-56, 13 yrs)
T7. .810 – Dolph Staley (Beloit) (238-56, 12 yrs)
T7. .810 – Ben McCollum (Northwest Missouri State) (383-90, 14 yrs) *
9. .804 – John Wooden (Indiana State/UCLA) (664-162, 29 yrs)
10. .802 – Matt Logie (Whitworth/Point Loma/Montana State) (287-71, 13 yrs) *
11. .797 – John Kreese (College of Charleston) (400-108, 23 yrs)
12. .789 -- Josh Schertz (Indiana State (392-105, 16 yrs) *
13. .787 – Bob Bolen (Glenville State) (499-135, 20 yrs) *
14.786 – Dave Robbins (Virginia Union) (713-194, 30 yrs)
15. .784 – Jerry Tarkanian (Fresno St/Long Beach St/UNLV) (729-201, 31 yrs)
16. .783 – Joe Lombardi (IUP) (414-114, 18 yrs) *
 
NCAA Division II Active Head Coach Winning Percentage (min. 10 years' experience)
1. .859 – Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern) (513-84, 18 yrs)
2. .816 – Tom Brown (West Texas A&M) (257-58, 10 yrs)
3. .810 – Ben McCollum (Northwest Missouri State) (383-90, 14 yrs)
4. .787 – Bob Bolen (Glenville State (499-135, 20 yrs)
5. .783 – Joe Lombardi (IUP) (414-115, 18 yrs)
6. .758 – Jeff Young (Walsh) (451-144, 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. 414—Joe Lombardi (IUP; 2006-Present) *
4. 412 – Greg Walcavich (Edinboro; 1990-2012)
5. 401 – 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 105 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 (11th; 17.7), rebounds per game (2nd; 9.4), double-doubles (2nd; 10), minutes/game (4th; 37:31) and total three-point field goals made (6th; 53).
• 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 (4th), field goals made (5th), three-point field goals made (6th), rebounds (6th) and blocks (3rd).

RECORD BOOK WATCH
Career Points
1. 1,949 – Darryl Webb (2007-11)
2. 1,747 – Jacobo Diaz (2015-19)
3. 1,715 – Robert Misenko (1992-96)
4. 1,705 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
5. 1,678 – Brandon Norfleet (2012-16*)
 
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)
5. 637 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
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)
6. 213 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
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)
6. 825 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Present)
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. 157 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
 
Three-Pointers Made (Game)
1. 9 – Bryce Radford; Slippery Rock (1/27/24)
T2. 8 -- John Sanow; Edinboro (2/18/87)
T2. 8 -- Geoff Evans; Strayer (2/3/01)
T2. 8 -- Dante Lombardi; E. Stroudsburg (1/16/19)
T2. 8 – Bryce Radford; Shepherd (1/3/24)
 
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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