INDIANA, PA – Despite three players in double figures, the 10th-ranked Crimson Hawks fell to Mercyhurst 67-56 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinals Tuesday night at the Kovalchick Complex.
Seniors Marcel Souberbielle (Montevideo, Uruguay/Uruguayan American School) and Mathis Keita (Thionville, France/Insep) each finished the night with 15 points, despite Souberbielle sitting out for a good portion of the second half after suffering an injury.
IUP struggled in nearly every aspect, shooting just 37.5 percent compared to 47.9 percent from Mercyhurst. The PSAC’s top three-point field goal defense allowed the Lakers to convert on 53.3 percent of shots from behind the line, making just 2-of-14 of their own three balls.
The Lakers committed 23 personal fouls and one technical foul, sending IUP to the line 35 times. IUP, however, was unable to fully benefit, sinking just 68.6 percent of their shots from the charity stripe.
The Crimson Hawks were in control for most of the second half, getting up by as much as 11 with just under seven minutes to play. The Lakers would go on a 12-3 run to close out the first half, giving IUP just a one-point advantage heading into the break.
Mercyhurst kept that momentum up to start the second half, claiming their first lead of the game after just ten seconds of play. The two teams would exchange baskets and things were knotted up 42-42 with 15:11 to play following a pair of free throws from H’ian Hale.
From there on out, the Lakers were able to keep the Crimson Hawks at a safe distance, never again surrendering the lead.
A pair of dunks and two free throws would seal the Crimson Hawks’ fate, as the Lakers claimed the 11-point lead.
The loss ends the defending PSAC champion’s tournament run. Mercyhurst will move on to face top-seeded East Stroudsburg in the semifinal round on Saturday.
The Lakers outplayed IUP in nearly every aspect, outrebounding them 32-23, shooting 47.9 percent from the floor, 53.3 percent from behind the arc and 72.2 percent from the charity stripe.
In addition to his 15 points, Keita added eight rebounds, two assists and one steal. Souberbielle, who finished the night with 30 minutes of playing time, added one rebound, one assist, two blocks and three steals.
Devante Chance (Philadelphia/Electrical & Technology Charter) recorded 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and four steals. Both Brandon Norfleet (Virginia Beach, VA/Landstown) and Jeremy Jeffers (Wilson, NC/Greenfield School) added seven points, with Norfleet registering two rebounds, two assists, six turnovers, one block and one steal and Jeffers adding six rebounds.
The second half doomed IUP, as they went just 6-of-22 from the floor, 0-of-6 from three point range and 12-of-20 from the free throw line. The Lakers dominated the second half, going 10-of-23 from the floor, 5-of-9 from three-point range and 11-of-12 from the free throw line.
This is the first time in the last five games that the Crimson Hawks have fallen in their first PSAC tournament game. They have won three of the last four conference championships.
The Crimson Hawks will await their postseason fate, as the NCAA Division II tournament bracket will be announced on Sunday, March 9. In the first two sets of regional rankings, IUP has found themselves in the third spot, behind top-seeded West Liberty and second place East Stroudsburg. The top eight teams in each of the eight regions qualify for the tournament.
Article by Kelly Dumrauf, courtesy of IUP Athletics
Photo also courtesy of IUP Athletics
