GAME 21

IUP (16-4 | 11-3 PSAC) vs. Pitt-Johnstown (11-11 | 5-9 PSAC)
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Johnstown, Pa. | Sports Center

Stream: PSAC Digital Network
Radio: U92 FM with Jack Benedict and Tony Coccagna

THE GAME AT A GLANCE
The IUP men's basketball team close out their road trip before a three game homestand against IUP alum Bob Rukavina and his Pitt Johnstown Mountain Cats. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM at the Sports Center.

IUP cruised to another comfortable victory on the road with help of Dallis Dillard's third 30-point performance of the year. Pitt Johnstown has been on a skid, losing eight of their last ten.

TIP OFF NOTES
>> IUP head coach Joe Lombardi is in his 20th season leading the Crimson Hawks. He ranks among the top five active Division II coaches in wins with 447, including 277 in PSAC play.
>> Dillard's 30-point, 10 rebound, and 11 assist performance against Penn-St. DuBois is IUP's first triple-double since the 2021 season.
>> Dillard has been nominated for PSAC Athlete of the Week for his 30-point double-double performance against Edinboro and 30-point triple-double against Penn St DuBois.
>> Christian Moore ranks second in the PSAC in 3-PT FGs per game with 3.3, shooting the three point shot efficiently. Moore is ranked seventh in the conference in 3-PT FG% (.414).
>> The Crimson Hawks have faced the Mountain Cats earlier this season at the KCAC, their first matchup concluded as a ten point IUP victory.
>> As a team, IUP has been efficient when making field goals. The Crimson Hawks rank fifth in team FG% (.483).
>> IUP radiates a strong defensive presence on the court. Individually, Damir Brooks ranks fourth in the PSAC in blocked shots (24) while Dillard leads the PSAC in steals (57). As a team, IUP allows the second-least PPG in the PSAC (72.1).
>> Dissecting IUP's elite defense. The Crimson Hawks have recorded nine games with 10 or more steals this season.

PITT JOHNSTOWN AT A GLANCE
Pitt Johnstown, who holds an overall record of 11-11 and conference record of 5-9 welcome IUP to the Sports Center. The Mountain Cats look to bounce back after losing their last eight of ten matchups.

Piit Johnstown has most recently fell to Slippery Rock on the road in a 67-85 contest.
Leading scorer for the Mountain Cats is junior forward Baden Forup. An all-star for Pitt Johnstown, Forup averages a double-double with his 19.2 PPG and 11.4 REB/G. Defensively, Forup has accumulated 26 steals and 12 blocks at this point in the season.

Another star on the Mountain Cats is junior guard Adam Bilinsky. A defensive playmaker, Bilinsky leads his team with 45 steals while scoring 11.8 PPG and a generous team-high 74 assists.

SERIES HISTORY
This matchup between the Crimson Hawks and the Mountain Cats will be their 62nd matchup in program history.

IUP looks to sweep Pitt Johnstown after splitting the series in the 2024-25 season. The Crimson Hawks have won the last eight of ten contests.

ONE OF THE BEST
Head coach Joe Lombardi has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in Division II basketball during his 20-year career. Lombardi ranks among the top five active coaches with 447 wins and a .759 winning percentage. His 446 victories are most in program history.

ALL-AROUND ELITE SQUAD
With the return of Dillard combined with the development of the younger players, Lombardi's squad have solidified an elite unit that plays at the elite level on both sides of the ball. Presenting a strong effort on the offensive side of the ball, IUP is ranked fourth in the PSAC in scoring offense (85.4). Putting up an even better effort on defense, IUP is ranked second in the conference in scoring defense (72.1). The Crimson Hawks point margin of +13.3 is second-best in the PSAC.

DILLARD DOMINATION
After being out for the last two seasons with injury, redshirt senior Dallis Dillard has elevated his play to the elite level for the Crimson Hawks and has been flourishing. Dillard leads the team in total points (412), assists (99), field goals made (147) and total minutes played (659). Dillard has been named to the top 25 watch list for the Trevor Hudgins Award, a prestigious award presented annually to a senior who has compiled the best four or five year career in small college basketball.

BALL HAWKS
Lombardi's aggressive defensive stratagem has paid off successfully for IUP's defense throughout the year. The Crimson Hawks find themselves sixth in the PSAC in steals per game (8.85), and second in turnover margin (+3.50). Leading the defensive efforts for IUP is Dillard who has accumulated 57 steals throughout the season so far. Five other Crimson Hawks have also accumulated 15+ steals.

CONSISTENT THREAT
Senior guard Christian Moore has quietly been one of the most productive scorers in the PSAC, as well as for IUP. He has reached double figures in all but one game this season. Moore's 17.5 PPG is second-best on the Crimson Hawks and sixth most in the PSAC.