ERIE, Pa. — The IUP men's basketball team will face its first ranked opponent of the season when it travels to Erie to take on No. 13 Gannon at the Highmark Events Center.
The Crimson Hawks enter the matchup riding a three-game winning streak, including a road victory over Slippery Rock. Redshirt senior Dallis Dillard and senior Christian Moore combined for 49 points in that contest to lead IUP to the win.
IUP is led by head coach Joe Lombardi, who is in his 20th season and ranks among the top five active Division II coaches in career wins with 442, including 273 in PSAC play. Dillard is averaging 20.4 points per game, while Moore and sophomore Kymani Merraro contribute 15.7 and 13.9 points per game, respectively. Dillard is the only Division II player this season averaging at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals per game.
The Crimson Hawks have committed fewer turnovers than they have forced in every game this season and have recorded eight games with 10 or more steals, going 7-1 in those contests. IUP ranks fifth in the PSAC in field-goal percentage, shooting 45% or better in nine of 13 games.
Gannon comes into the weekend at 14-2 overall and 8-1 in PSAC play. The Golden Knights, coached by second-year head coach Eastin Bazzoli, are 7-0 at home and 19-1 all-time in the Highmark Events Center under Bazzoli. Gannon has four players averaging more than 10 points per game, including reserve Lucas Sekasi with 11.9.
IUP has struggled historically against the Golden Knights, losing six straight matchups in Erie, the longest losing streak in the series' history dating back to 1983. Overall, IUP holds a 32-29 record against Gannon, including an 11-18 mark in Erie. Last season, the teams met three times, with IUP averaging 77.3 points and Gannon 87.
The Crimson Hawks' lineup features three seniors — Dallis Dillard, Damir Brooks and Christian Moore — along with four other key players, including sophomores Merraro and Luke Triggs, who scored 16 points against Slippery Rock in the PSAC Tournament last season.
