INDIANA, Pa. -- The IUP men's basketball program faces Slippery Rock at home in the KCAC for alumni night on Saturday, February 22, with tipoff set for 3:00 p.m.

GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (12-13, 7-10 PSAC) vs. Slippery Rock (13-13, 9-9 PSAC)
Saturday, February 22 - 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 vs. California (Pa.)
Wednesday, February 26 - 7:30 PM - KCAC - Indiana, Pa.
Social Media Updates: @IUP_MBB on X (formerly Twitter)
 
IUP TIPOFF NOTES
>> The Hawks are averaging 73.1 PPG, 36.9 RPG, 12.0 APG, 723 SPG, and 3.6 BPG.
>> IUP is shooting .446 from the field, .333 beyond the arc, and .702 from the free throw line.
>> The top three scorers for IUP include Christian Moore (17.1 PPG), Kymani Merraro (14.4 PPG) and Damir Brooks (11.2 PPG).
>> Freshmen Tyler Grove and Kymani Merraro have started all 25 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 40 in 25 games.
>> Three IUP players have post over 30 steals this season, including Ian Herring (45), Moore (36), and Merraro (32).
>> Herring and Moore are ranked in the top 25 in total steals across the PSAC at fourth and 19th respectively.
>> Freshman Merraro hit the game-winning three pointer against Seton Hill on January 18th.
>> Merraro ranks fifth in the PSAC in total assists, recording a grand total of 111 so far this season, averaging 4.4 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 12 wins at home.
>> The Hawks have struggled on the road, winning just two of 10 games on the road.
>> The Hawks are 10-3 when leading at halftime.
>> IUP is 12-5 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 11-8.
>> Five games this season have been decided by less than three points. With IUP being 3-2 in those contests.
>> IUP will remain home next Wednesday for their final regular season home contest against Cal U.
 
SLIPPERY ROCK AT A GLANCE
Slippery Rock is currently on a two game winning streak after they had dropped the previous four. Their most recent win came against Clarion, 83-72, on Wednesday at home.
They are currently averaging 75.6 PPG, 37.6 RPG, 12.6 APG, 9.9 SPG, and 4.7 BPG.

Jomo Goings ranks in the PSAC top 25 in numerous categories. He currently leads his team with 17.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.5 SPG, and averages 32.7 MPG. Following Goings is Maceo Austin who averages 16.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, .486 FG, 2.4 SPG.
 
PREVIOUS CONTEST VERSUS SLIPPERY ROCK
IUP's last game against Slippery Rock was on the road a month ago, January 22, where they lost 75-64. Despite leading after the first half, IUP was unable to match Slippery Rock's production in the second half. Both Moore and Merraro scored 15 points. Damir Brooks grabbed a double-double with 12 rebounds and 13 points. IUP shot .339 from the field, .240 beyond the arc, and made 16 of 24 free throw attempts.

Slippery Rock's Ike Herster led the floor with 22 points and eight made FG. Day Walters added 17 points, seven rebounds, led the team with four blocks, and posted a steal. Slippery Rock shot .452 from the field, .368 beyond the arc, and .632 from the free throw line.
 
STANDOUT MOORE
Christian Moore, a transfer from New Hampshire, has led the team in scoring on 14 occasions, nine 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 33.5 minutes per game, 17.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and has tallied 36 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 111 so far on the season, averaging 4.4 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 11.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG and playing 27.9 MPG.
 
Herring has proved himself as a valuable sixth man for the Crimson Hawks with his unrelentless defensive skills. Herring leads the team in steals with a total of 45. 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 72.1 PPG and have allowed the fifth least points throughout the season at 1,802
 
Lombardi's defense has also been extremely problematic for opponents trying to get the ball into the net. Ranked sixth in the PSAC in Opponent FG Percentage, the Crimson Hawks keep their opponents to an average of .318 FG per game.

DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
Blocks: Brooks (40), Herring (16), Grove (13), Triggs (9)
Steals: Herring (45), Moore (36), Merraro (20), Brooks (25)
 
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 (429-134) 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 (.762) 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.