IUP/KUTZTOWN BASKETBALL PREVIEW

WOMEN

The IUP Crimson Hawks basketball teams play Kutztown in a doubleheader at the KCAC today starting with the women’s game at 2 o’clock. Tomorrow, both teams will host West Chester before taking off for Christmas break.

The previews, courtesy of IUP Athletics:

IUP women’s basketball, which jumped to 11 in the latest D2SIDA rankings, continues PSAC crossover play with consecutive home matchups against Kutztown (December 18) and West Chester (December 19). Tipoffs are set for 2:00 p.m. on December 18 and 5:30 p.m. on December 19 at the KCAC.

IUP (7-0, 2-0) held on for a 77-65 victory in a turnover-plagued nonconference finale last time out on December 11. Kutztown (4-4, 2-0) emerged with its third consecutive victory earlier in the week against Holy Family, while West Chester (5-3, 2-0) also closed out the nonconference slate with a win last time out.

TIPOFF NOTES

IUP closed out the nonconference slate undefeated for the fourth time in five seasons following last weekend’s victory against Goldey-Beacom at the KCAC.
The Crimson Hawks have had success against both Kutztown and West Chester traditionally. IUP is 6-1 against Kutztown since 2011, including a 72-57 win over the Golden Bears in the 2019 PSAC Championship at KU.
IUP has gone 7-2 against the Rams since the 2011-12 season, winning each of the last four meetings.
Maria Cerro is third in the PSAC in field goal percentage (.535), coming into the game after one of her best outings of the season against the Lightning. Ranking second on the team in scoring average (13.9), Cerro leads the team with 39 assists and in minutes played.
Despite IUP’s high ranking in the D2SIDA poll, the Crimson Hawks were unranked in the WBCA Top 25.
IUP ranks 12th in NCAA DII in scoring defense at 53.7 points/game, allowing opponents to convert at 33.3%, seventh in DII. The Crimson hawks also lead the PSAC in rebounding margin (+9.1), outrebounding their opponents in all five nonconference contests.
The win over Goldey-Beacom pushed IUP’s record to 16-2 in gamed played on Sunday over the last five seasons, dating back to 2016-17. A pair of wins in crossover action would push IUP to a 9-0 mark, which would match the team’s winning streak at the start of the 2021-22 campaign.
The IUP starting five of Cerro, Kiera Baughman, Alana Cardona, Teirra Preston and Gina Adams have accounted for over 60% of the team’s scoring output this season. All five starters average 30 minutes or more per contest through seven games.
Despite the strong start, IUP has been sloppy with the basketball in stretches. The Crimson Hawks have committed at least 18 turnovers in six of seven games, including 29 against Goldey-Beacom.

SCOUTING KUTZTOWN

Kutztown battled back in the fourth quarter for a 57-52 victory against Holy Family in the conference finale. The win pushed the Golden Bears back to .500, using a big push in the final stanza while erasing a seven-point deficit.
The Golden Bears lead the PSAC and rank sixth nationally in blocks/game (6.4). Casey Remolde (15) Sydney Pierson (10) have collected double digit blocks this season with Remolde leading the conference in blocked shots.
Remolde logged a game-high 15 points against Holy Family and leads the team in rebounding average (5.4) this season.
Sunday’s action against the Crimson Hawks is the first outing for Kutztown in 11 days.
Head coach Janet Malouf in in her 28th season behind the bench at Kutztown in 2022-23 as the program’s all-time winningest coach. The Golden Bears have been among the most consistent programs in the PSAC East, advancing to the postseason in 11 of the last 13 seasons.
Abby Hearn (11.9) is one of three players averaging double digits for Kutztown, logging 21 points in the opener against Bowie State on November 11.

SCOUTING WEST CHESTER

West Chester presents a potent offensive challenge, leading the PSAC and ranking 13th nationally in scoring offense (79.8). Emily McAteer leads the charge with 16.9 points/game as one of four Golden Rams to average double digits.
WCU steamrolled Wilmington with a wire-to-wire 97-46 nonconference triumph on December 11. McAteer poured in a career-high 25 points (9-12 FG) in what amounted to the largest margin of victory during the tenure of head coach Kiera Wooden.
While the Golden Rams have no shortage of scoring options, three players also average at least 8.1 rebounds per contest.
Leah Johnson ranks second in the nation with 7.5 assists/game, handing out 10 or more in two contests this season. Also a member of the WCU starting rotation, Michelle Kozicki averages nearly 50% shooting from the floor with 14.1 points/game.
Two of West Chester’s three losses came in the opening weekend of the season to up-tempo MEC opponents Glenville State and West Virginia State, which each boast a similarly unique style of play.

IUP DEFENSE HAS BEEN LOCKDOWN

While facing some poor-shooting opponents, IUP has been aggressive on the defensive end of the floor, ranking top 10 nationally in field goal percentage defense (.333) and scoring defense (53.7).
The Hawks have held opponents to single digits in a quarter four times, with three coming in a blowout win against Rosemont.
The Hawks are also averaging 10.9 steals per contest and forcing 21.1 turnovers per game.
The Crimson Hawks have held six opponents under 70 points and three under 60.

ANOTHER UNBEATEN START FOR HAWKS

IUP went 5-0 in the nonconference slate, marking the fourth unbeaten non-league start to the season over the last five years.
IUP began the year with a program record 16 consecutive victories at the onset of the 1999-2000 season. More recently, IUP opened the season at 15-0 in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
The Hawks are just two wins shy of matching last year’s 9-0 start to the season.

CARDONA CONTINUES HITTING HER STRIDE

Gaining valuable minutes throughout her career off the bench, Alana Cardona has stepped into the starting lineup and has emerged as a driving force for the Hawks on both sides of the ball.
She enjoyed a career night with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds against Ohio Dominican on November 23. It marked the first 20-point outing of Cardona’s career, who has started all seven games this season.
She was named PSAC West Athlete of the Week on December 6, her first weekly honor from the league. Cardona has logged two double-doubles over the past three outings, playing 39 of 40 minutes last time out against Bloomsburg.
Cardona is third on the team in scoring (13.6) and second in rebounding (7.7), all while shooting 51.5% from the floor. She is averaging 17 points and 8.5 rebounds over the last four games, adding seven steals.

BAUGHMAN SETS THE TONE

Kiera Baughman continues to step up as a second-year contributor for the Hawks. She averaged 21.5 points/game in a pair of conference victories, including a career-high 24 points against Bloomsburg on December 3.
Baughman leads the team in scoring average (15.9) and ranks fifth in the league in assists/game (5.1).
Making 11 starts in her debut campaign, Baughman has taken the next step in her development this season. She collected 28 steals in 30 games last year and has 21 through just seven games in 2022-23, ranking third in the PSAC.
A consistent shooter in all areas, Baughman is also 43-for-48 (.896) at the foul line heading into Sunday’s matchup.

REBOUNDING CONTINUES TO BE A STRENGTH

With one of the top rebounders in the region, Teirra Preston has helped the Crimson Hawks become a stout rebounding squad once again in 2022-23, ranking fourth in the PSAC.
Preston is fourth in the PSAC in rebounding average (9.9), grabbing eight or more in five games this season.
The Hawks are 17th in the nation in defensive rebounds/game (30.3) and second in the PSAC with a +9.1 rebounding margin, tying into the strong defensive effort.
Last season, IUP finished the campaign leading the PSAC and ranking 14th nationally with a rebounding margin of +8.0.

CERRO CONTINUES IMPROVING

Maria Cerro has jumped to second on the team in scoring average (13.9) as a speedy guard.
Cerro ranks third in the PSAC in FG percentage at 53.5%.
She is first on the team with an average of 33.4 minutes as part of the IUP starting lineup, playing 36 minutes or more in each game aside from the blowout win against Rosemont.
Cerro dropped in 14 points and handed out nine assists in a victory against Mansfield on December 2nd. She continues her torrid offensive stretch with 20 points (7-11 FG) with four rebounds and seven assists in a victory against Goldey-Beacom.

EVERYBODY EATS

All 12 players currently on the active roster have seen playing time in at least four games this season.
Every player has scored for the Crimson Hawks this season with five players reaching double figures in the win against Ohio Dominican ad Mansfield.
As a team, IUP is assisting on 55.8% of its made field goals with seven players posting five assists or more this season.
Nine of 12 players have registered a steal through the opening seven games.

DECADE OF DOMINACE IN INDIANA

From 2010-2020, IUP led the PSAC with 241 overall wins and 165 conference wins.
IUP won four PSAC west regular season titles, two PSAC tournament championships, also making four PSAC title game appearances with 10 PSAC tournament berths during that span.
The Crimson Hawks have seen NCAA excellence in the 2010s with eight NCAA tournament berths, two Atlantic region titles, two national semifinal game appearances, earning the top seed in the Atlantic Region in 2019-20.
The Hawks’ .793-win percentage marked the eighth best in Division II during that span.

MEN

One of just 12 remaining unbeaten teams in NCAA DII, the second-ranked IUP men’s basketball program is back home for a pair of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossovers against Kutztown (December 18) and West Chester (December 19) from the KCAC. Tipoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. against Kutztown and 7:30 p.m. against West Chester.IUP (8-0, 2-0) racked up a season high 99 points with a limited lineup last time out against Penn State Altoona on December 11. The victory extended the Hawks regular season winning streak to 19 games, dating back to the 2021-22 season.Kutztown (2-5, 2-0) is returning to the floor for the first time since December 3, holding off Clarion for a 76-64 home victory. Meanwhile, West Chester (6-2, 1-1) brings a two-game winning streak into its return to action, facing Pitt-Johnstown on December 18 before visiting Indiana.TIPOFF NOTES

IUP is one of 12 teams nationally and two in the PSAC (East Stroudsburg) with an unbeaten record in 2022-23. The Hawks have won 19 consecutive regular season contests, dating back to 2021-22.
The Hawks have a pair of veteran players closing in on 1,000 career points. Dave Morris is just seven points shy of 1,000 for her career (125 points at Tennessee State, 868 at IUP), while Shawndale Jones is 40 points away from the 1,000-point mark (336 at NJIT, 624 at IUP).
Morris guided a shorthanded IUP lineup to a 99-54 blowout win against Penn State Altoona on December 11. Morris was named PSAC West Athlete of the Week following his career performance, finishing with 31 points (6-11 3FG), four rebounds, four assists and two steals in 37 minutes.
IUP leads NCAA DII in scoring defense (56.1) and field goal percentage defense (34.5). Overall, IUP has held seven of eight opponents to under 60 points this season, winning their last three games by an average margin of 33 points.
Jones (rest) and Ethan Porterfield (illness) were held out of the Penn State Altoona game, allowing Damir Brooks and KJ Rhodes a chance to step into the staring lineup for the Hawks. Brooks posted a career-high 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 15 minutes against the Lions.
Joe Lombardi is 9-4 against Kutztown with four straight wins, going 11-5 against West Chester.
Jones leads the PSAC and ranks 19th in Division II with 21.0 PPG.
IUP shot 59.6% (34-57) from the floor against Penn State Altoona, its highest shooting percentage since February 2020 against Seton Hill (61.1%). Tomiwa Sulaiman (5-6 FG, 10-12 FT) was a big part of the offensive efficiency for the Hawks, notching his first 20-point outing of the season against PSA.

Holiday HoopsThe nationally-ranked IUP basketball programs are home for a pair of PSAC crossover doubleheaders at the KCAC, coming December 18 against Kutztown and December 19 against West Chester.Tickets https://t.co/h5163qsMhg pic.twitter.com/0WKuPT5x1b

— IUP Athletics (@IUPCrimsonHawk) December 15, 2022

SCOUTING KUTZTOWN

Kutztown has been idle since December 3, but notched a pair of conference wins against Gannon and Clarion for its lone two victories of the season.
Robert Tucker (16.6 PPG, 11.1 RPG) leads the PSAC with five double-doubles this season, ranking fourth in DII. Tucker notched an impressive outing with 23 points (9-13 FG) and 13 rebounds against Lincoln in November.
Wesley Butler leads the team in scoring (19.0), good for third in the PSAC. Kyree Generett (11.2) and Josh Samec (10.0) are also in double figures for the Bears.
Kutztown is allowing nearly 80 points per contest with opponents shooting nearly 45% from the field.
Bernie Driscoll is closing in on 350 career wins at Kutztown, posting a mark of 341-263 (.565) in his 22nd season.

SCOUTING WEST CHESTER

Robert Smith dropped in a season-high 23 points in helping West Chester to a victory against Holy Family in the nonconference finale. Kyle McGee added 18 points with Eli Barrett posting 16 for the Golden Rams.
McGee leads the PSAC with 32 assists and has converted 45.7% (21-46) of his three-point field goals this season. He presents a potent one-two scoring touch with Smith, who leads the team at 18.0 points/game.
The Rams are near the top in the league in several statistical categories, ranking second in rebounds/game (41.12) and offensive rebounds/game (13.50).
Eli Barrett (9.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG) is another key contributor in the low block, posting 19 assists and seven blocks. He has logged 16 points in each of the last two games, pulling down a combined 21 rebounds with four steals.
Damien Blair has guided West Chester to four NCAA Tournament appearances over the past seven seasons. Blair is in his 14th season at WCU, going 246-136 overall with five 20-win seasons.

IUP IN THE POLLS

IUP jumped to second in the NABC Coaches’ Poll on December 6, holding steady at No. 2 in the D2SIDA poll.
IUP has been ranked in the top 10 over 50 times, dating back to the 2019-20 preseason poll, including the entire 2022-23 season.
This is the 20th straight week the Hawks are ranked in the top-10 of both polls.
The NABC ranking on December 13 marked the 202nd in program history, also the 115th time ranked inside the top 10 and the 65th week ranked inside the top five.

DEFENSE A FOCAL POINT SO FAR IN 2022-23

The Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC and NCAA DII in scoring defense (56.1) and field goal percentage defense (.345). IUP ranks sixth nationally in three-point percentage defense, allowing opponents to convert at just 26.3% from deep.
IUP is third in the PSAC with 10.4 steals/game. The Crimson Hawks have nine players in their lineup with three or more steals.
IUP has ranked in the top 10 nationally among NCAA DII schools in scoring defense in both 2021-22 (62.1) and 2019-20 (65.3).
IUP has limited seven of eight opponents to 60 points or less in 2022-23.
Morris is third in the PSAC with 17 steals, while Jones has 13 steals through seven games.
Ethan Porterfield has 11 blocks this season and has 117 for his career, good for third all-time in program history. He is 45 blocks away from tying IUP Hall of Famer Darryl Webb for second all-time.

LOMBARDI AMONG ELITE COACHES IN ALL OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL

IUP HC Joe Lombardi (376-106) has helped transform IUP into a consistent national power, now in his 17th season. Through his initial 16 seasons, Lombardi has helped guide IUP to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, six PSAC titles, three Atlantic Region Championships and two DII national title game appearances.
Lombardi is fourth among active NCAA DII head coaches with a .780 winning percentage, just behind Northwest Missouri State’s Ben McCollum (.806). He’s sixth among active head coaches in winning percentage across all divisions.
With a minimum of 10 years of experience, Lombardi is 15th among all NCAA head coaches in all-time winning percentage. Members of the list include names like Mark Few, John Wooden, Adolph Rupp and Jerry Tarkanian, among others.

EXPERIENCED GROUP RETURNS FROM LAST YEAR’S FINAL FOUR SQUAD

IUP returned four starters from last year’s NCAA Final Four squad, and that experienced group has once again been key contributors through the opening portions of the 2022-23 season.
Jones played in just seven games last season, averaging 25.0 points before suffering a season-ending leg injury. He has returned in a big way, providing a veteran presence and an elite ability to score the basketball while still working back to full strength.
Meanwhile, Ethan Porterfield, Dave Morris and Tomiwa Sulaiman have all had flashes of brilliance so far in 2022-23 for IUP, which is continuing to progress together as a unit.
Including last year’s program-best 33-3 record, the Hawks have gone 41-3 dating back to the start of last season.

THE REIGNING, DEFENDING PSAC CHAMPIONS

IUP won its third consecutive PSAC Championship with a 63-52 win against Millersville at the KCAC on March 5, 2022.
It marked the 12th PSAC Tournament championship in program history and s sixth conference title under HC Joe Lombardi, the most among active PSAC coaches and the second most in conference history.
IUP’s 12 titles are second behind Cheyney’s 15.
Ethan Porterfield was named the PSAC Tournament MVP, averaging 15.0 PPG and 8.7 RPG.

BEARER IS BACK; PART OF NEW-LOOK ASSISTANT STAFF

Former IUP captain Greg Bearer is back with the men’s basketball program, returning to the bench to serve as an assistant coach in 2022-23.
Bearer previously worked at the nationally renowned DME Academy prior to returning to Indiana.
Also new to the staff this season is graduate assistant Jake Perrin, who worked as a head coach at the high school level.
Former assistant coach Ron Fadula accepted the head coaching job at upstart South Carolina Beaufort back in October. He is one of several former assistants to take the next step in their professional coaching tenure, including Shippensburg head coach Chris Fite.