Indiana, Pa. – The IUP men's basketball program remains at home on Wednesday, February 26 for final regular season home game against the red hot California (PA) Vulcans. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the KCAC.

GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (12-14, 7-11 PSAC) vs. California (PA.) (16-10, 11-7 PSAC)
Wednesday, February 26 - 7:30 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 Clarion
Friday, February 28 - 7:30 PM - Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium - Clarion, Pa.
Social Media Updates: @IUP_MBB on X (formerly Twitter)

IUP TIPOFF NOTES
>> The Hawks are averaging 73.0 PPG, 36.6 RPG, 12.0 APG, 7.2 SPG, and 3.6 BPG.
>> IUP is shooting .446 from the field, .329 beyond the arc, and .702 from the free throw line.
>> The top three scorers for IUP include Christian Moore (17.3 PPG), Kymani Merraro (14.5 PPG) and Tyler Grove (11.3 PPG).
>> Freshmen Tyler Grove and Kymani Merraro have started all 26 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 44 in 26 games.
>> Three IUP players have posted over 30 steals this season, including Ian Herring (46), Moore (37), and Merraro (34). 
>> Herring and Moore are ranked in the top 25 in total steals across the PSAC at fifth and 21st respectively.
>> 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 116 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 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 0-9 when they shoot worse.
>> With Moore, Merraro, Grove, Brooks, and Furtun as starters, IUP's record is 11-9.
>> Five games this season have been decided by less than three points. With IUP being 3-2 in those contests.

CALIFORNIA (PA) AT A GLANCE
The Vulcans are currently on a red hot winning streak, winning their last eight of ten games and six in a row. Their most recent matchup was a rematch against Pitt Johnstown. The Vulcans cruised to a comfortable 91-79 win at home.

California (PA) is currently averaging 84.7 PPG, 40.0 RPG, 15.5 APG, 6.5 SPG, and 2.8 BPG. Donald Whitehead Jr continues to be a problem for opposing teams. The Junior from Hermitage, Pa. is averaging 19.9 PPG which ranks him fourth in the PSAC in scoring. Whitehead Jr is currently shooting .435 from the field, .398 from three, and .800 at the free throw line. 

PREVIOUS CONTEST VERSUS CALIFORNIA (PA)
IUP's last game against California (PA) was on the road nearly a month ago, January 29, where they lost 78-74. Going into the second half tied at 39 points, IUP was unable to keep up with the Vulcans. Two Crimson Hawks scored 20+ in the match, Christian Moore (24) and Kymani Merraro (20). Damir Brooks was one rebound short of a double double with ten points and nine rebounds. Cam Polak was the leading scorer for the Vulcans. Ending with a statline of 25 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. As a team, the Vulcans shot .419 from the field, .333 from the three point line, and .810 at 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
Kymani 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 116 so far on the season. Averaging 4.5 assists a game., this impressive feat ranks Merraro fifth in assists in the PSAC. Tyler Grove has proved himself as a key starter for Lombardi's team. The 6'7 freshman has started all the games this season for the Crimson Hawks averaging 11.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG and playing 27.9 MPG. Ian 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 46. 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 72.3 PPG and have allowed the fifth least points throughout the season at 1,880. 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 .436 FG per game.

DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
Blocks: Brooks (44), Herring (16), Grove (13), Triggs (9)
Steals: Herring (46), Moore (37), Merraro (34), Brooks (26)

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 (429-135) 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 (.761) 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.