A battle for the top spot in the PSAC West highlight’s today’s schedule of games in the league.
#14 Indiana (Pa.) travels to Tippin Gymnasium to take on a Clarion team that has been the biggest thorn in its side over the past two seasons. During that stretch, the Crimson Hawks have won 26 of their last 29 games against PSAC West opponents (including last Wednesday’s 68-58 win over California (Pa.). Two of those three losses came against Clarion.
The game will feature five of the top 12 scorers in the PSAC: IUP’s Ashton Smith (19.7 ppg, 2nd) and Julian Sanders (17.1 ppg, 7th), and Clarion’s freshman sensation Winfield Willis (16.7 ppg, 9th), junior Calvin Edwards (15.9 ppg, 10th) and senior Paul McQueen (15.6 ppg, 12th).
The game, however, could come down to an IUP defense that has yielded the second fewest points in the PSAC (61.8 ppg). Or it could come down to Clarion’s 2-3 zone, a scheme against IUP head coach Joe Lombardi admitted the Crimson Hawks struggled with in a 71-66 win over West Chester last Friday.
Expect a close, but high scoring affair at Tippin tonight.
Elsewhere in the West:
Slippery Rock (9-4, 6-3) at Mercyhurst (8-5, 6-3): The other three games in the PSAC West will undoubtedly break the four-way logjam for third place in the division. Two of those teams square off on East 38th Street in Erie as The Rock comes off a dominating 84-61 win over Lock Haven while the Lakers are still smarting from a close 71-66 loss at Clarion. Up until Wednesday, Mercyhurst had been holding their own without junior forward Luis Leao.
Gannon (8-5, 6-3) at California (Pa.) (8-7, 5-4): The Golden Knights are coming off a collapse at home against Wednesday night in which they squandered an eight point lead against Edinboro. Meanwhile, there are signs of panic among the faithful within Vulcan Nation, as Cal fell to IUP 68-58 in their last outing. More than a few Vulcans fans have been calling for the head of head coach Bill Brown after Cal’s hit and miss play during cross-overs. A loss at the Convocation Center tonight puts Cal two games out of a playoff spot at this early stage of the season. There may be time to right the ship down on the Mon, but the natives are getting restless.
Lock Haven (0-12, 0-9) at Edinboro (8-5, 6-3): After several close losses early in the season, the Bald Eagles seem to be regressing into the team from last season that went 1-25. In their last four games, the Haven lost by 25, 43, 21 and 23 points respectively. That’s not exactly what we’d call positive steps towards progress. Meanwhile, the Fighting Scots picked up some momentum with a win at Gannon. Expect this game to be over by halftime at McComb Field House.
Over in the East:
Kutztown at East Stroudsburg: It didn’t take long for today’s game at Koehler Field House to develop into an early season showdown near the top of the PSAC East. The Golden Bears have been shooting lights out in their last four games, hitting 55 percent of their shots during their four game win streak. Will that be enough against a Warriors team which is the third toughest to shoot against in the PSAC (42.4 percent). Kutztown, on the other hand has an opponent’s shooting percentage of 45.7 percent, third worst in the league. It would not be shocking if both offenses reached 90 points in regulation.
West Chester at Millersville: Will the real Golden Rams team please stand up? On paper, today’s showdown at Pucillo Gymnasium should be an easy win for West Chester. As last year’s 82-70 Marauders win attests, they don’t play PSAC basketball games on paper. Mike Seibert nailed six three-pointers on his way to a 24 point outburst to pace Millersville. Senior forward Demond Vance is expected to play in his first game this season after sitting out the fall semester due to academic ineligibility.
Cheyney at Bloomsburg: The rebuilding Wolves are off an unscheduled day off Wednesday after a water main break at Cope Hall forced the postponement of their divisional opener against Millersville to Monday. With virtually an entire new roster, Cheyney will be coming into today’s game against the division leading Huskies at Nelson Field House with more than a little rust. Bloomsburg stole yet another last second win at Shippensburg, keeping them atop the PSAC East.
Shippensburg at Mansfield: It’s hard to get a read on either team, to be honest. The Mounties are rebuilding since Yuseff Carr graduated and the Red Raiders couldn’t hold on to a late lead at home against Bloomsburg. This will probably be a yawner.
Creighton Rabs covers the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference for Examiner.com. He is neither employed by nor affiliated with the PSAC or its member institutions. Follow him on Twitter (@PSACnWCUReportr) for live updates of selected events, including this weekend’s double-header between West Chester and Millersville.
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