INDIANA, Pa. (March 5, 2013) – Unfortunately, the third time wasn't the charm for the Edinboro men's basketball team, but did they ever put a scare into Indiana(Pa.) before losing 89-87 in overtime in the PSAC Quarterfinals.  It marked the third time the 13^th-ranked Crimson Hawks beat the Fighting Scots in 2012-13, but was the second time they needed overtime to do so.  Edinboro finishes the year at 18-10, while IUP is now 22-5 and will move on to host the PSAC Final Four this weekend.
 
Unlike the first two meetings, when Edinboro had to rally from a double-figure deficit to challenge at the end of the game, this game was close throughout.  In fact, the Fighting Scots held the largest lead of the night at seven points early in the game.  They never trailed by more than five points while battling the hostile crowd of 1,467 at the Kovalchick Complex, and the game featured 18 ties and a similar number of lead changes.
 
After the 14^th tie, Edinboro took its largest lead of the second half at 75-70 when Xavier Churnac hit a jumper and Jay Fletcher nailed a 3-pointer.  Unfortunately, 4 minutes, 10 seconds still remained, and IUP would go on an 8-2 run to take a 78-77 lead with 1:48 left. 
 
Isaiah Prince gave the lead back to the Scots with a 3-pointer with 39 seconds to play, but Anthony Wells' leaner from the right side with nine seconds remaining knotted the score at 80-80.  IUP had a foul to give and used it with 2.7 seconds to play.  Dan Ayebo was credited with a steal on a long attempt by Bryan Theriot at the buzzer, sending the contest into overtime.
 
In January IUP dominated the overtime session in an 86-75 win at McComb Fieldhouse.  It was a different story this time, but the same result.  Marcel Souberbielle scored on a layup for an 82-80 IUP lead, with Fletcher cutting the margin to one when he made one of two free throws.  Following an IUP miss Churnac scored to give Edinboro what would turn out to be its last lead at 83-82. 
 
Souberbielle made two free throws put the Crimson Hawks back on top at 84-83, and a Scooter Renkin free throw with 1:21 to play gave IUP an 85-83 lead.  Bryan Theriot answered with two frees to tie the score with a minute to play.
 
Renkin went to the line 12 seconds later and gave IUP the lead for good at 87-85.  Edinboro came down and turned it over, but Josh Weigand would make just one of two free throws at the 36-second mark, leaving the Scots trailing by just three at 88-85.  Prince would drive the lane for a layup with 24 seconds, making it 88-87, and the Scots then sent Wells to the line.  He made the first but missed the second with 15 seconds to play. 
 
Edinboro worked the ball to Fletcher, who had burned the Crimson Hawks for big games the first two meetings.  This time the senior guard's three was just long with seven seconds left.  Mathis Keita grabbed the rebound and was fouled.  He missed both ensuing free throws, giving the Scots open last chance, but their long heave was after the buzzer and no good.
 
Prince capped his second straight outstanding season with a huge effort.  After being named to the All-PSAC West first team for the second straight year earlier in the day, the 6'0” senior responded with his first career double-double.  He scored 24 points, with 20 of those in the second half, adding a career-high 11 rebounds, with eight assists and four steals in 44 minutes.  He made 4 of 7 3-pointers.
 
Churnac had a career game with 21 points before fouling out, making 10 of 18 field goals.  Theriot, another first team All-PSAC West selection, added 18 points, making 6 of 7 field goals and 6 of 6 free throws.
 
After scoring 54 points in the first two meetings, Fletcher was “held” to 18 points in the final game of his career.  He made 5 of 9 3-pointers and was 3 of 4 at the line, plus dished out five assists.  Fletcher picked up second team All-PSAC West honors today.
 
All five of IUP's starters scored in double figures, as they received just three points from their bench.  Keita and Renkin led the way with 25 points apiece, with Keita pulling down a team-high eight rebounds.  Renkin sizzled from beyond the 3-point arc, making 6 of 8 trifectas.  Souberbielle, Weigand and Wells all finished with 12 points.
 
Edinboro shot 50.0 percent for the game, including 66.7 percent (18 of 27) in the second half, but was just 2 of 8 in overtime.  The Scots made 10 of 21 3-pointers and were 11 of 12 at the line.
 
The Crimson Hawks were held to 40.o percent from the floor and made just 1 of 4 shots in overtime, but went 10 of 30 on 3-pointers, and more importantly, were 19 of 28 at the line.  That included 7 of 12 in overtime. 
 
After being badly outrebounded the first two games, Edinboro battled IUP on almost even terms, finishing with a 41-39 disadvantage.   Edinboro was guilty of 15 turnovers and IUP just eight.