INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP men's basketball program remains on the road to face head coach IUP alumni Bob Rukavina and the Pitt Johnstown Mountain Cats. Tipoff is set for Wednesday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sports Center.

GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (11-11, 6-8 PSAC) vs. Pitt Johnstown (10-12, 6-9 PSAC)
Saturday, February 12 - 7:30 PM - Sport Center - Johnstown, Pa.
Social Media Updates: @IUP_MBB on X (formerly Twitter)
Media Coverage: Live Video (PSAC Digital Network) - Live Stats (Stat Broadcast) - Radio (U92.5FM)

COMING UP
IUP vs. Edinboro (Senior Day)
Wednesday, February 15 - 3:00 PM - KCAC - Indiana, Pa.
Social Media Updates: @IUP_MBB on X (formerly Twitter)

IUP TIPOFF NOTES
>> The Hawks are averaging 73.7 PPG, 37.5 RPG, 12.1 APG, 7.4 SPG, and 3.6 BPG.
>> IUP is shooting .446 from the field, .331 beyond the arc, and .705 from the free throw line.
>> The top three scorers for IUP include Christian Moore (17.0 PPG), Kymani Merraro (13.9 PPG) and Damir Brooks (11.7 PPG).
>> Freshmen Tyler Grove and Kymani Merraro have started all 22 games this season for the Crimson Hawks.
>> Redshirt Junior Guard Damir Brooks was awarded PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week on December 2.
>> Brooks is ranked sixth in the PSAC in blocked shots, recording 35 in 22 games.
>> Four IUP starters have recorded 20+ steals, these starters include Ian Herring (39), Christian Moore (33), Kymani Merraro (29), and Damir Brooks (22). 
>> Herring, Moore, and Merraro are ranked fifth, 17th, and 23rd respectively in total steals across the PSAC conference.
>> Freshman Merraro hit the game-winning three pointer against Seton Hill on January 18th.
>> Merraro also ranks third in the PSAC in total assists, recording a grand total of 100 so far this season, averaging 4.5 per game.   
>> Freshman Guard Ian Herring was named PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week on January 21. 
>> IUP plays significantly better at home this season, recording nine of their eleven wins at home, including all six of their conference wins.
>> The Hawks have struggled on the road, winning just one of nine games on the road and one of two games on neutral sites. 
>> IUP has a substantial positive scoring margin of +108 when at home compared to a staggering -80 when on the road. 
>> The Hawks are 9-3 when leading at halftime.
>> IUP is 11-4 when they shoot better than their opponent and 0-6 when they shoot worse.
>> With Moore, Merraro, Grove, Brooks, and Furtun as starters, IUP's record is 10-7.
>> Four games this season have been decided by less than three points. With IUP being 3-1 in those contests.

PITT-JOHNSTOWN AT A GLANCE
Currently on a two game losing skid and one game behind IUP in the PSAC West standings, Bob Rukavina has bounced back from a poor 2022-23 season ending with a 6-22 overall record. Rukavina now looks to stay afloat in the PSAC race against his alma mater. 

Pitt-Johnstown has been extremely potent on the offensive side of the ball when compared to the rest of the PSAC conference. Ranked first in the conference in Team FG percentage with .484 and fourth in total offense averaging 82.2 PPG. The Mountain Cats are also averaging 36.5 RPG and 14.9 APG.

A player that has been lights out for coach Rukavina is Senior guard Ryan Smith. Improving in PPG, RBG, MPG, and FG% every year since Smith's freshman season. Smith is currently averaging 17.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG and shooting .509 from the field for the Mountain Cats. 

PREVIOUS CONTEST VERSUS PITT JOHNSTOWN 
The last game against Pitt Johnstown was last month on January 15 at the KCAC. At the half, IUP led 47-32 and finished the game 83-74 with a slight resurgence from the Mountain Cats in the second half. Four Crimson Hawks logged 10+ points against the Mountain Cats earlier this season, Christian Moore (14), Kymani Merraro (16), Damir Brooks (17), and Tyler Grove (22). IUP shot .561 from the field and .500 behind the three point line, and .846 at the free throw line. 

STANDOUT MOORE
Christian Moore, a transfer from New Hampshire, has led the team in scoring on twelve occasions, eight of which were above 20 points. His highest-scoring game came against Tiffin where he scored 26 points and shot .571 from the field. Moore is averaging 33.4 minutes per game, 17.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and has tallied 33 steals.

FRESHMEN ON THE RISE
Merraro has made an impressive start to his collegiate career, carving his role as a generous ball handler, Merraro leads the Crimson Hawks in assists, logging 100 so far on the season, averaging 4.5 assists a game. This impressive feat ranks Merraro fifth in total assists in the PSAC. 

Grove has also proved himself as a key piece for Lombardi's team. The 6'7 freshman has started all the games this season for the Crimson Hawks averaging 11.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG and playing 28.1 MPG. 

Herring has proved himself as a valuable sixth man for the Crimson Hawks with his unrelentless defensive skills, Herring leads the team in total steals at 39. On January 21, Herring was named the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week for his rigorous efforts against Pitt-Johnstown and Seton Hill as he combined for eight blocks, five steals, and 17 rebounds. 

ELITE HAWK DEFENSE 
Coach Lombardi has emphasized the importance of defense and his players has been producing superbly when compared to the rest of the PSAC. Ranked fourth in total defense, the Crimson Hawk's opponents average only 72.5 PPG and have allowed the second least points throughout the season at 1,594. 

Lombardi's defense has also been extremely problematic for opponents trying to get the ball into the net. Ranked third in the PSAC in Opponent FG Percentage, the Crimson Hawks keep their opponents to an average of .423 FG% per game. 

DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
Blocks: Brooks (35), Herring (14), Grove (11), Triggs (9), Furtun (8)
Steals: Herring (39), Moore (33), Merraro (29), Brooks (22)

LOMBARDI AMONG TOP COACHES IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Now in his 43rd 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 19th season at the helm of the Crimson Hawks, Lombardi is the program's all-time leader in wins (428-132) 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 third among NCAA DII active head coaches in winning percentage (.764) with at least 10 years of experience and in the top 20 all-time among all NCAA divisions in winning percentage with at least 10 years of experience.

Follow 
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP men's basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_MBB.