INDIANA, Pa. -- The IUP men's basketball program hits the road again for a rematchup against the PSAC West leader, the Gannon Golden Knights on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. inside the Highmark Events center.

GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP (11-10, 6-7 PSAC) vs. Gannon (17-6, 12-3 PSAC)
Saturday, February 8 - 7:30 PM - Highmark Events Center - Erie, 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 Pitt-Johnstown
Wednesday, January 12 - 7:30 PM - Sports Center - Johnstown, Pa.
Social Media Updates: @IUP_MBB on X (formerly Twitter)

IUP TIPOFF NOTES
>> The Hawks are averaging 74.3 PPG, 37.9 RPG, 12.3 APG, 7.3 SPG, and 3.7 BPG.
>> IUP is shooting .451 from the field, .333 beyond the arc, and .705 from the free throw line.
>> The top three scorers for IUP include Christian Moore (17.1 PPG), Kymani Merraro (13.9 PPG) and Damir Brooks (12.2 PPG).
>> Freshmen Tyler Grove and Kymani Merraro have started all 21 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 seventh in the PSAC in blocked shots, recording 32 in 21 games.
>> IUP has four players with 20+ steals, including Ian Herring (38), Christian Moore (32), Kymani Merraro (28), and Damir Brooks (20). 
>> Herring, Moore, and Merraro are ranked sixth, 16th, and 22nd 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 4.8 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 eight 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 -58 when on the road. 
>> The Hawks are 9-2 when leading at halftime.
>> IUP is 11-4 when they shoot better than their opponent and 0-5 when they shoot worse.
>> With Moore, Merraro, Grove, Brooks, and Furtun as starters, IUP's record is 10-6.
>> Four games this season have been decided by less than three points. With IUP being 3-1 in those contests.

GANNON AT A GLANCE
Gannon just clinched a PSAC playoff berth with their most recent win over Edinboro, 82-74. The Golden Knights lead the PSAC West with a 12-3 record and boost a 17-6 overall record. The team bounced back after they snapped a three game losing streak, all to PSAC West opponents. Head coach Easton Bazzoli is in his first season with the team after being named in April of 2024. Bazzoli was previously an assistant coach under Jordan Fee as he helped the team to a school record of 32 wins the previous season, which guided the team to the NCAA Elite Eight. 

Gannon leads the PSAC in scoring offense, averaging 92.7 PPG and in rebounds, averaging 42.6 RPG. They are averaging 17.1 APG, 11.3 SPG, and 3.0 BPG. The Golden Knights are shooting .457 from the field, .349 beyond the arc, and .690 from the free throw line.

The team has had four consistent starters this season and two that have intertwined. The lead scorer is Ernest Shelton who is averaging 18.7 PPG, ranks fifth in the PSAC and is second on the team in blocks (18). Defensively Pace Prosser is ranked fourth in the PSAC averaging 1.8 SPG, totaling 42. Tasman Goodrick leads the team in blocks (19) and RPG (10.4) to rank him second in the PSAC. Goodrik has posted 11 double-doubles which ties him for 7th nationally.

SERIES HISTORY
The last time the teams met was earlier this season, at the time Gannon was ranked No. 9 in the D2CCA poll, now they are receiving votes. Their win against IUP extended their winning streak to 13 games, now Gannon is trying to get back on track after winning just two of their past six meetings. Gannon defeated IUP on January 8, 89-82 inside the KCAC. IUP had four players score 10+ points with Moore leading the charge with 19. Sarp Furtun picked up a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. IUP shot .500 from the field, .474 beyond the arc, but struggled at the free throw line making just 9-of-21 attempts. Gannon's Shelton scored 29 points and four other players scored 10+ points. Gannon also shot .500 from the field, .522 beyond the arc, and they made 23-of-32 free throw attempts. 

STANDOUT MOORE
Christian Moore, a transfer from New Hampshire, has led the team in scoring on eleven occasions, eight of which were above 20 points. His highest-scoring game came against Tiffin where he scored 26 points and shot 57.1% from the field. Moore is averaging 33.3 minutes per game, 17.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and has tallied 32 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 4.8 assists a game. This impressive skill ranks Merraro third in the PSAC in assists. 

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 28.0 MPG. 

Herring has proved himself as a valuable sixth man for the Crimson Hawks with his unrelentless defensive skills, Herring has logged in 14 blocks and 38 steals so far this season. 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. 

DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
Blocks: Brooks (32), Herring (14), Grove (11), Triggs (9), Furtun (8)
Steals: Herring (38), Moore (32), Merraro (28), Brooks (20)

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 (428-131) 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 (.765) 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.