ERIE, Pa. – The IUP men's basketball program could not continue their first half momentum into the second half, as they fell to Gannon 84-62 Saturday afternoon.
 
IUP dropped to 11-11 overall and 6-8 in the PSAC, while Gannon improved to 18-6 overall and 13-3 in conference play. 
 
Christian Moore led the Hawks with 15 points and had two assists. Kymani Merraro contributed 14 points and grabbed five rebounds. Damir Brooks posted three blocks and two steals.
 
Moore opened the game with consecutive three-pointers to put the Hawks up 6-2. Grove ended a three-minute scoring drought at 11:34 to put the Hawks within one, 14-15. Merraro tied the game at 26 with a three-pointer at 4:10. Luke Triggs made a jumper at 3:20, which was followed by another three-pointer by Merraro that turned into a four-point play. 
 
Grove extended IUP's lead to six with a jumper at the two-minute mark, but Gannon responded with a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead. Alfonso Pickens Jr. closed the first half with a layup, putting IUP ahead 37-36.

Sarp Furtun opened the second half scoring for the Hawks with a jumper, followed by a Moore three-pointer at 17:37. However, Gannon responded with a 9-0 run. Grove ended IUP's drought at 12:34 with a three-pointer and one. Ian Herring then made a layup and hit both free throws to bring the Hawks within nine. Moore knocked down his fourth three-pointer of the game at 4:54, but IUP still trailed 70-61. Gannon closed out the second half on a 14-1 point run. 

Up Next 
IUP travels to Pitt-Johnstown next Wednesday, February 12, tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the Sports Center. 

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