INDIANA, Pa. -- The IUP men's basketball program returns home for a senior day matchup against the Edinboro Fighting Scots, Saturday, February 15. Senior day recognitions will happen prior to tipoff, with tipoff set for 3:00 p.m.

GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (11-12, 6-9 PSAC) vs. Edinboro (13-10, 9-7 PSAC)
Saturday, February 15 - 3:00 PM - KCAC - Indiana, 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 at Seton Hill
Wednesday, February 19 - 7:30 PM - The Katherine Mabis McKenna Center - Greensburg, Pa.
Social Media Updates: @IUP_MBB on X (formerly Twitter)

IUP TIPOFF NOTES
>> The Hawks are averaging 73.7 PPG, 37.2 RPG, 12.1 APG, 7.4 SPG, and 3.7 BPG.
>> IUP is shooting .445 from the field, .331 beyond the arc, and .706 from the free throw line.
>> The top three scorers for IUP include Christian Moore (17.0 PPG), Kymani Merraro (13.7 PPG) and Damir Brooks (11.8 PPG).
>> Freshmen Tyler Grove and Kymani Merraro have started all 23 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 fifth in the PSAC in blocked shots, recording 38 in 23 games.
>> Four IUP starters have recorded 20+ steals, these starters include Ian Herring (41), Christian Moore (34), Kymani Merraro (29), and Damir Brooks (25). 
>> Herring, Moore, and Merraro are ranked fifth and 16th 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 fifth in the PSAC in total assists, recording a grand total of 106 so far this season, averaging 4.6 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. . 
>> The Hawks are 9-3 when leading at halftime.
>> IUP is 11-4 when they shoot better than their opponent and 0-8 when they shoot worse.
>> With Moore, Merraro, Grove, Brooks, and Furtun as starters, IUP's record is 10-8.
>> Four games this season have been decided by less than three points. With IUP being 3-1 in those contests.
 
EDINBORO AT A GLANCE
Edinboro has won four of their past five games including their most recent against Pitt-Johnstown where they won, 97-75. The Fighting Scots had two players score above 20 points with Cenker Evran recording a double-double with 14 rebounds and 16 points. Steve Kelly came close with 23 points and nine assists. Edinboro hit 17 three pointers, six came from Kelly and Ryan Ladjevich went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc. 
 
The team is ranked sixth in the PSAC averaging 80.5 PPG, are fifth in FG percentage (0.462), and third in three-point FG percentage (.365). Edinboro has three players ranked in the top 15 across the PSAC in 3-point FG percentage.
 
Evran is currently averaging 15.1 PPG, 12.9 RPG, is shooting .692 from the field, leads the team with 23 blocks and has tallied 21 steals. Evan Berger leads the team in steals with 39 and is averaging 10.7 PPG.
 
PREVIOUS CONTEST VERSUS EDINBORO
IUP's last game against Edinboro was on January 6, earlier this season when the teams opened PSAC West play. The Hawks were defeated 81-65, as they were unable to recover from a 22 point first half despite their second half push. Both Moore (20 pts) and Brooks (17pts) led the Hawks in scoring, each making seven FG. Brooks posted three blocks and one steal. Grove recorded a high of five steals and Herring followed with four. IUP shot .444 from the field, .294 beyond the arc, and .750 from the free throw line.
 
For Edinboro, both Kelly and Dunn scored 22 points. Kelly made six three pointers and added six assists. Evran played for 33 minutes and grabbed a double-double with 16 rebounds and scored 14 points. The Fighting Scots shot .519 from the field, .542 beyond the arc, and made 14 FT attempts.
 
STANDOUT MOORE
Christian Moore, a transfer from New Hampshire, has led the team in scoring on 13 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 34 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 106 so far on the season, averaging 4.6 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 11.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG and playing 28.3 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 41. 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 have been producing superbly when compared to the rest of the PSAC. Ranked fourth in total defense, the Crimson Hawk's opponents average only 72.7 PPG and have allowed the second least points throughout the season at 1,673. 
 
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 .429 FG% per game. 

DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
Blocks: Brooks (38), Herring (15), Grove (13), Triggs (9)
Steals: Herring (41), Moore (34), Merraro (29), Brooks (25)
 
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 seven setbacks last season, IUP boasts a 195-29 (.872) mark in home games since the venue opened, including postseason games.
>> IUP has not lost more than seven games at the KCAC in a season since the building opened.
>> At the KCAC, the IUP Men's team have won:
            >> 9 of 11 games in 2024-25 (9-2)
            >> 11 of 18 games in 2023-24 (11-7)
            >> 17 of 18 games in 2022-23 (17-1)
            >> 21 of 22 games in 2021-22 (21-1)
            >> 2 of 2 games in 2020-21 (2-0)
            >> 16 of 16 games in 2019-20 (16-0)
            >> 19 of 21 games in 2018-19 (19-2)

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 (428-133) 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 (.763) 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.