CLARION, Pa. — The Indiana University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team heads back on the road Saturday to face Clarion in the first meeting between the two programs this season. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium.
The Crimson Hawks enter the contest playing some of their best basketball of the season, having won four of their last five games. IUP is coming off a convincing home victory over Edinboro, while Clarion rides a three-game winning streak after a home win against Pitt-Johnstown.
IUP is led by redshirt senior Dallis Dillard, who paces the team with 19.9 points per game and has recorded four 25-point performances this season. Christian Moore (16.8 ppg) and Kymani Merraro (13.8 ppg) round out the Crimson Hawks' top scoring options.
Defensively, IUP has been disruptive all season, forcing more turnovers than it has committed in every game. The Crimson Hawks have recorded 10 or more steals in eight contests, going 7-1 in those games, and rank fourth in the PSAC in steals per game (9.47) and second in turnover margin (+3.80).
Offensively, IUP ranks among the conference's most efficient teams, shooting 48.0% from the field to rank sixth in the PSAC. The Crimson Hawks lead the conference in 3-point field-goal percentage (.382), with Moore knocking down a team-high 52 triples while shooting 41.9% from beyond the arc.
Head coach Joe Lombardi is in his 20th season at the helm of the Crimson Hawks and ranks among the top five active Division II coaches with 443 career wins, including 274 in PSAC play. His 443 victories are the most in program history.
Clarion enters the matchup with a 10-8 overall record and a 5-5 mark at home. The Golden Eagles are closing out a stretch of home games before returning to the road and have won their last two contests by six points or fewer. Gavin Cote leads Clarion with 14.3 points per game and averages 3.2 rebounds while shooting 40% from the field.
The teams split their two meetings during the 2024-25 season, with IUP earning an 84-57 home win before Clarion responded with an 86-67 victory in Clarion. Christian Moore averaged 17.0 points in those two matchups, including a 23-point performance in IUP's home win.
Dillard remains one of the nation's most complete players, ranking third in Division II with 45 steals and averaging 3.21 per game. A Bevo Francis Award watch list selection, Dillard was the only player nationally to average at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals per game.
Saturday's contest marks another key PSAC test as IUP looks to continue its strong play on both ends of the floor.
