INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP men's basketball team finishes out the regular season on Saturday, welcoming Clarion on March 2 for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff from the KCAC.  
 
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.
 
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (16-10, 13-7 PSAC) at No. 8/8 California (Pa.) (23-3, 17-3)   
Wednesday, February 28 – 7:30 p.m. – Convocation Center – California, Pa.      
Game Coverage: Live Video (PSAC Digital Network) – Live Stats – Live Audio (U92.5FM)
Social Media Updates: @IUP_MBB on X (formerly Twitter)
 
SENIOR DAY AND SCOUT DAY ON SATURDAY

• IUP will celebrate Senior Day prior to the contest against Clarion. In addition, Saturday's game is Roger Reschini Scout Day.
• All scouts will receive free admission to the game. Approximately 400 t-shirts will be distributed to IUP students, starting at 2:00 p.m. and while supplies last.
• The Senior Day ceremony is set to begin with 12 minutes left on the pregame warm-up clock of the men's game. The Crimson Hawks will recognize Josh Petteno, Bryce Radford, KJ Rhodes and Ethan Porterfield.
• Following the ceremony, IUP head coach Joe Lombardi will present Porterfield and Rhodes with a commemorative basketball celebrating 100 wins with the program.
• At halftime, the IUP department of athletics will welcome and recognize the national champions from the IUP men's rugby team.

 
PSAC TOURNAMENT UPDATE

• Heading into the final game of the regular season, IUP has locked up a postseason berth with seeding still to be determined.
• In fact, all 12 spots in the PSAC Tournament have been decided with seeding still to be decided on the final day of the regular season.
• The Crimson Hawks and Slippery Rock are tied for third place in the PSAC West, both guaranteed a home game in the PSAC First Round on Monday, March 6.
• Tickets are available for the PSAC First Round and can be purchased online or in person at the First Commonwealth Bank Box Office.
• Gannon and California (Pa.) have locked up the top two seeds in the PSAC West, with IUP, Slippery Rock, Seton Hill and Mercyhurst also in the tournament field.
• In the East, West Chester, Shepherd and Mansfield have secured their seeds in spots four through six. Millersville, East Stroudsburg and Lock Haven sit atop the PSAC East.

 
TIPOFF NEWS AND NOTES

• IUP dropped its third consecutive game in a 75-68 setback to No. 8/8 California (Pa.) on February 28.
• Garvin Clarke guided IUP with 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists and one steal in 36 minutes of action. Josh Petteno provided IUP a spark off the bench with nine points and eight rebounds.
• The Crimson Hawks will celebrate an accomplished senior class on Saturday, headlined by Ethan Porterfield. Porterfield was named to the Trevor Hudgins Top 15 Watch List, a career award presented to the player with the best four-year (or five-year) tenure at the Small College Basketball level.
• Porterfield and KJ Rhodes have won 111 games during their time with the Crimson Hawks, going 74-13 (.850) in regular season conference games since 2019-20.
• Porterfield will move into sole possession of fourth place on the IUP all-time games played list on Saturday with his 128th career appearance. He ranks ninth among active DII men's basketball players in career scoring (1,852), seventh in rebounding (852) and sixth in blocks (161).
• IUP was not listed in the initial NCAA DII Atlantic Region rankings release, which ultimately determine the teams selected to the NCAA Tournament. The first listing is arranged alphabetically, while all others will be listed in numerical order.
• Clarke is the only player in NCAA DII to average at least 18.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists, ranking 26th nationally in assists, 6th in the conference in scoring and sixth in the league in rebounding.
• IUP is 36-12 (.766) in February games since the start of the 2017-18 season.
• IUP HC Joe Lombardi 30-4 lifetime against Clarion with 25 consecutive wins dating back to 2010-11.
• The Crimson Hawks fought hard for a 78-72 road win in the first meeting against Clarion in late January. Lading by double digits for large stretches, IUP could not put Clarion away until the end. Clarke had a dominant first half, finishing with 26 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals in 40 minutes against the Golden Eagles.

 
CLARION AT A GLANCE

• Clarion dropped its fifth straight game in a defensive battle, falling 54-50 against Mercyhurst on February 28. Clarion was within two possessions late with under a minute to play but could not totally catch up to the Lakers as time wound down.
• Steve Kelly ranks fifth in the PSAC in assists/game (4.6), while Jeremy Thomas II is fifth in the league in rebounding (7.9) and second in offensive rebounding (3.1).

 
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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 five setbacks this season, IUP boasts a 186-26 (.877) mark in home games since the venue opened, including postseason games.
• IUP has not lost more than six 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) 
  • 48 of their last 56 (48-8) 
  • 64 of their last 72 (64-8) 
  • 83 or their last 93 (83-10)
  • 95 of their last 109 (95-14)
  • 111 of their last 128 (111-17)

 
THAT'S A LOT OF WINS!

• Since the 2018-19 season, IUP has gone 139-21 (.868) 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 fourth in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (+2.05).  
• Clarke has been a primary distributor for the Hawks, but has also taken more of a role in scoring the basketball, moving to sixth in the league in points/game (18.8).
• He leads the league in assists/game (5.4) and ranks fourth in steals/game (2.1), 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 in the first meeting between the teams.
• His 30 points at Slippery Rock matched his career high in another strong all-around outing.

 
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 on January 27.
• 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 50 assists. He handed out nine assists against his former school last time out on February 21 at the KCAC.
• Stewart has started all 20 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 (416-119) 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 (.778) with at least 10 years of experience and in the top 20 among all-time among all NCAA divisions in winning percentage with at least 10 years of experience.

 
NCAA Division II Active Head Coach Winning Percentage (min. 10 years' experience)
1. .860 – Jim Crutchfield (West Liberty/Nova Southeastern) (518-84, 18 yrs)
2. .816 -- Tom Brown (West Texas A&M) (262-59, 10 yrs)
3. .812 – Ben McCollum (Northwest Missouri State) (388-90, 14 yrs)
4. .783 – Bob Bolen (Glenville State (501-139, 20 yrs)
5. .778  – Joe Lombardi (IUP) (416-119, 18 yrs)
6. .759 – Jeff Young (Walsh) (456-145, 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. 554 – Bob Rukavina (Pitt-Johnstown; 1989-Present) *
3. 416—Joe Lombardi (IUP; 2006-Present) *
4. 412 – Greg Walcavich (Edinboro; 1990-2012)
5. 404 – 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 111 collegiate games during his tenure with the Hawks.
• Porterfield has been named to different watch lists this season, earning a spot on the Bevo Francis Top 100, Top 50 and the Trevor Hudgins Top 25 and Top 15 (top four-year career).
• 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 (5th; 19.2), rebounds per game (3rd; 8.7), double-doubles (2nd; 10), minutes/game (4th; 37:04) and total three-point field goals made (4th; 66).
• 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 (2nd), field goals made (2nd), three-point field goals made (6th), rebounds (5th) and blocks (3rd) and games played (4th).

RECORD BOOK WATCH
Career Points
1. 1,949 – Darryl Webb (2007-11)
2. 1,852 – Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
3. 1,747 – Jacobo Diaz (2015-19)
4. 1,715 – Robert Misenko (1992-96)
5. 1,678 – Brandon Norfleet (2012-16*)
 
Career Field Goals Made
1. 708 – Darryl Webb (2007-11)
2. 691 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
3. 661 – Derrick Freeman (1993-96)
4. 653 – Jack Crossan (1952-56)
5. 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)
6. 226 -- 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
1. 1,214 – Darryl Webb (2007-11)
2. 1,015 – Jacobo Diaz (2015-19)
3. 881 – Garry Lupek (1966-69)
4. 877 – Lee McCollough (1968-71)
5. 862 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Present)
6. 826 – Robert Misenko (1992-96)
7. 738 – Sam Scott (1977-82)

Career Blocks
1. 207 -- Devon Cottrell (2012-17)
2. 162 -- Darryl Webb (2007-11)
3. 161 -- Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
 
Career Games Played
2. 133 – Devon Cottrell (2012-17)
3. 130 – Dave Morris (2018-23; includes 28 games at Tennessee State)
4. 127 -- Ashton Smith (2008-12); Devante Chance (2011-15); Ethan Porterfield (2019-Pres)
7. 126 – Darryl Webb (2007-11)
8. 124 – Julian Sanders (2008-12); Jacobo Diaz (2015-19)
 
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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