INDIANA, Pa -- The IUP men's basketball program faces Concord and Lincoln (pa.) this weekend in the Hilton Garden Inn Tip-Off Classic inside Memorial Fieldhouse. The games will be November 14 and 15 at 7:30 PM.

NEED TO KNOW
Friday - Parking is available in all lots.
Saturday - Free parking is available Reschini, Zink, R&P Lots
                 Season Ticket Holders can present their game ticket for free parking in KCAC Lots
Admission is free and all seating will be general admission.
There will be concessions for sale in the main lobby of the Fieldhouse.

GAMEDAY CENTRAL

IUP VS CConcord
Friday, November 14 - 7:30 PM - Memorial Fieldhouse - Indiana, Pa.
IUP vs Lincoln (PA)
Saturday, November 15 - 7:30 PM - Memorial Fieldhouse - Indiana, Pa.
Social Media Updates: @IUP_MBB on X and @iupmbb on Instagram
Media Coverage: Live Video (PSAC Digital Network) - Live Stats vs Concord - vs Lincoln (PA) (Stat Broadcast) - Radio (U92.5FM)

COMING UP

IUP vs Ashland
Saturday, November 22 - 3:30 PM - Johnstown, Pa.

IUP TIP-OFF NOTES

>> IUP returns five players who started at least 25 games last season.
>> The Crimson Hawks return four players who averaged double-digit points last season, including leading scorer Christian Moore.
>> Kymani Merraro was the first Crimson Hawk to be named PSAC Freshman of the Year, as he was awarded for his performance, starting all 30 games for the Crimson Hawks, and ranking fourth in the PSAC in assists.
>> A spark for IUP will be the return of Dallis Dillard. Dillard missed most of last season with an injury and averaged 15.8 ppg in 2024-25 across 10 games.
>> Christian Moore and Kymani Merraro both played over 1,000 minutes last season, leading the way for the Crimson Hawks.
>> Christian Moore returns after being named second-team All-PSAC last season, averaging 16.8 points per game and leading the team in scoring 15 times, with 12 of those above 20 points. 
>> IUP R-Sr. Damit Brooks was fourth in the PSAC in blocked shots last season, with 52 blocks in 30 games, good for 1.7 blocks per game.  
>> IUP ranked fifth in defense in 2024-25, allowing just 73.2 points per game. The Crimson Hawks were the second-ranked team in the PSAC West, in the top five.
>> The Crimson Hawks had a positive 11.5 turnover margin average last season, placing them seventh in the PSAC.
>> This season will mark IUP Head Coach Joe Lombardi's 20th year at the helm for the Crimson Hawks. He ranks in the top five in active Division II coaches in wins, with 431 wins, 267 of which came in PSAC play.

CONCORD AT A GLANCE

The Mountain Lions were picked fifth in the MEC preseason poll, after finishing 17-11 last season. Concord lost All-American and MEC Player of the Year in Kollin Tolbert, as well as All-MEC Second team player, Corey Boston. The Mountain Lions return three starters in Kraig Gilbert, Josiah Rickards, and Ken Steele.

PREVIOUS CONTESTS VERSES CONCORD

The Crimson Hawks have seven previous meetings against the Mountain Lions, winning six of them. In the most recent matchup, Concord defeated IUP 61-57 in November of 2023. The first matchup dates to 1998, an 88-73 victory for IUP. The Crimson Hawks' most significant margin of victory over the Mountain Lions was in 2021, a 20-point win. The smallest was in 2002, a four-point win for IUP.


LINCOLN (Pa.) AT A GLANCE

The Lions of Lincoln are led by former NC State Standout Julius Hodge, who is in his second year at the helm. Hodge was also a first-round draft pick by the NBA's Denver Nuggets in 2005. Hodge was a two-time All-American and the 2004 ACC Player of the Year. 

The Lions made a run to the CIAA semifinals in 2024-25, losing to Virginia State 66-57. The Lions went 1-3 against PSAC opponents last season, with the lone win coming over Kutztown. 

PREVIOUS CONTESTS VERSES LINCOLN (Pa.)

The Crimson Hawks and Lions have met twice before, with IUP coming out on top each time. The most recent matchup was in November of 2024, where IUP defeated Lincoln 61-57. The first matchup of the two was in 2016, where IUP won 101-82. The 19-point margin of victory is the largest in both games. This is the third meeting between the team, all of which were played in Indiana.