Jack Frank, Mike Beck, Anthony Coleman and Jake Benhart vs. Gannon

Nick Wilkinson

Men's Basketball 2/19/2018 7:03:00 PM Bob Shreve, Sports Information Director

Fighting Scots Look to Upset PSAC West-Leading IUP with Game Streamed on ESPN

The last week of the regular season has arrived, with Edinboro among one of the top stories in 2017-18. Picked to finish eighth in the Western Division in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, the Fighting Scots will finish no worse than fourth and could still climb as high as second. Saturday's 86-78 win Clarion assured Edinboro of a home playoff game.
The Edinboro-IUP doubleheader has been added as part of the NCAA Division II Basketball Showcase. The contests will now stream on WatchESPN and the ESPN App. The doubleheader was chosen as part of the NCAA's and ESPN's flex plan due to the importance of both games.
Edinboro comes into the showdown at PSAC West leader Indiana(Pa.) with a 16-8 record and 12-7 in the PSAC West. They are in fourth place in the division, while IUP leads the Western Division with a 16-4 record and have won two games in a row and 9 of their last 11 to improve to 20-7 overall. It is head coach Joe Lombardi's tenth straight 20-win season in his 12 years as head coach. The Crimson Hawks can clinch first place in the division with wins in one of their final two games.
The Fighting Scots wrap up the regular season with a pair of games, playing at Indiana(Pa.) on Wednesday before celebrating Senior Day on Saturday, February 24 against Mercyhurst. Picked to finish eighth in the Western Division in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, the Fighting Scots are currently fourth in the PSAC West. The third and fourth seeds earn first round home games, while the top two seeds receive first round byes then host quarterfinal games.
Edinboro has battled back after suffering four losses in the final seconds. The most recent was a 72-71 setback to Gannon on February 10. The Golden Knights made three free throws with 0.4 seconds left to claim the win. In addition, on January 6 Kutztown scored the winning 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining for a 91-89 win, and Indiana(Pa.)'s winning three came with 1.8 seconds showing, for a 70-67 victory on January 13. Mercyhurst hit their game-winning 3-pointer with 13.2 seconds remaining in an 80-79 loss on January 24. That broke a 76-76 tie.
The Fighting Scots rank seventh in the PSAC in scoring offense (80.2 ppg.) and are also seventh in scoring defense (74.7 ppg.). IUP averages 77.4 ppg., good for 12th in the PSAC, but stands fourth in the conference in scoring defense at 70.2 ppg. The Crimson Hawks have held 15 opponents under 70 points. In addition, IUP is second in the PSAC in field goal percentage defense (41.6 pct.). Edinboro, meanwhile, is third in turnover margin (+1.88) and is second in free throw percentage (77.6 pct.).
The Fighting Scots have relied on a trio of players for the majority of the offense. The threesome of Keshawn Liggins, Anthony Coleman, and Jaymon Mason combine for over 56 points per game. Liggins saw his streak of leading the Fighting Scots in scoring at seven games come to an end against Slippery Rock, but he still scored 21 points. Liggins and Mason led Edinboro with 22 points at Clarion, while Coleman contributed 17. Liggins leads the PSAC in scoring (23.8 ppg.), good for eighth in Division II, and is third in rebounding in the PSAC at 10.7 rpg. ranking 13th nationally. He was selected the Division II Bulletin Player of the Month for January.
Anthony Coleman and Jaymon Mason add 16.3 and 16.2 ppg., respectively. The threesome has combined for 30-or-more points ten times. In addition, the Fighting Scots have had at least one of the three reach 20 points in every game but one.
Jaymon Mason dropped in a team-high 24 points against Slippery Rock and after adding 22 vs. Clarion, is now within 34 points to become Edinboro's all-time leading scorer. The redshirt senior guard, who will go down as one of Edinboro's all-time great players, ranks second in career scoring with 1,921 points. He is looking to break the career scoring record of 1,954 points, held by Tyrone Mason, his father. Mason was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week for his efforts against Slippery Rock and Clarion.
While better known for his work on the defensive end, Mike Beck played a key role on offense against Slippery Rock. The senior swingman finished with a career-high 23 points, making 5-of-8 3-pointers. That included a pair of key ones down the stretch.

Edinboro on Radio/Video

The Edinboro-IUP game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9. Dakota Palmer will be handling the play-by-play with Madison Gross providing color commentary.
The Edinboro-IUP doubleheader has been added as part of the NCAA Division II Basketball Showcase. The contests will now stream on WatchESPN and the ESPN App.
In addition, this year Edinboro is part of the PSAC Network. All men's and women's home basketball games will be streamed live through Stretch Internet.

All-Time Series vs. Indiana(Pa.)

IUP leads 99-73: IUP has won 18 of the last 19 meetings against Edinboro dating back to 2008-09.
First Meeting: 1928-29 – Edinboro 50, IUP 18
Last Meeting: 2017-18 – IUP 70, Edinboro 67
Current Streak: IUP has won the last five meetings
Cleary vs. IUP: 1-8

Last Meeting
Jan. 13, 2018 – Indiana(Pa.) 70, Edinboro 67 at Clarion, Pa. BOX | RECAP

For the second Saturday in a row, the Edinboro men's basketball team tasted defeat on a buzzer-beater. Indiana(Pa)'s Dante Lombardi delivered the dagger, hitting a long 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining to hand the Fighting Scots a 70-67 defeat at McComb Fieldhouse.
The Fighting Scots rallied from an eight-point deficit with less than five minutes to play to nearly upset the PSAC West preseason favorite. After leading by three points at 35-32 at halftime, Edinboro scored just two points, on a spectacular dunk by Anthony Coleman, in the first seven-plus minutes of the second half as IUP scored 12 straight points to take a 44-37 lead.
Edinboro closed the gap to 52-50 with 7:14 to play on five free throws by Keshawn Liggins. The Crimson Hawks responded with an 8-2 run, capped by Lombardi's back-to-back 3-pointers, making it 60-52 with 4:36 remaining.
Back came the Fighting Scots. Layups by Trey Staunch and Jaymon Mason pulled the Scots to within four at 60-56 a minute later. That was the start of a 9-0 run. After an IUP turnover, Mason drained a three, and Jaryn's Simpson's jumper just inside the 3-point line gave Edinboro the lead at 61-60 with 2:14 to play.
A string of six lead changes over the next two minutes would ensue. Anthony Glover gave IUP a 62-61 lead, with Liggins' layup making it 63-62. Willem Brandwijk's dunk gave the lead back to IUP at 64-63 with 45 seconds left. Mason gave Edinboro's its final lead at 66-64 with 22 seconds to play as he made three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.
Glover gave the lead back to the Crimson Hawks at 67-66 on a conventional 3-point play with 15 seconds to play. Mason was fouled on a drive with six seconds to play. He made the second of the two free throws to knot the game at 67-67.
IUP inbounded the ball, with Lombardi racing downcourt and hitting the winning 3-pointer from the left wing with 1.8 seconds to play. Edinboro inbounded quickly, but Mason's 3-pointer just inside halfcourt was no good.
Mason enjoyed an outstanding game in defeat. The redshirt senior guard scored a game-high 24 points, adding nine rebounds. He went 12-of-15 from the free throw line.
Liggins added his ninth double-double of the season with 18 points and 15 rebounds. The latter figure matched his season high. He made 9-of-10 free throws and handed out four assists.
Coming off a season-high 32 points at Gannon on Wednesday, Anthony Coleman again came out on fire before limited to 18 minutes due to foul trouble. The junior guard ultimately fouled out with over eight minutes remaining, finishing with 13 points plus five rebounds.
IUP had five players score in double digits. Lombardi and Malik Miller scored 15 points apiece, with Glover scoring 13 points, all in the second half, and Jacobo Diaz contributing 13 points and 15 rebounds. Brandwijk had 12 points.
Edinboro shot just 33.3 percent from the floor (19-of-57), making 6-of-26 3-pointers. The Fighting Scots were 23-of-27 at the line. IUP shot 43.9 percent from the floor (25-of-57), including 6-of-17 3-pointers, and was 14-of-20 at the line. Edinboro held a 41-33 advantage on the glass, pulling down 13 offensive boards. Both teams committed 13 fouls.

Head Coaches

Edinboro: Pat Cleary (Edinboro '99) -- 63-66, 5th Year

Pat Cleary was introduced as Edinboro's tenth head coach on March 26, 2013 after head coach Greg Walcavich announced his retirement. Cleary served as Walcavich's assistant coach for 14 years.
Cleary has now led the Fighting Scots to the PSAC Tournament in three of the last four years.
Cleary's first three teams improved each year since his appointment, with his 2015-16 team earning the third seed in the PSAC West Tournament with a 15-11 overall record and 14-8 league mark. A year ago the Fighting Scots came in at 8-18 overall and 6-16 in the PSAC West, with injuries forcing the Fighting Scots to suit up as few as seven players in February.
He guided Edinboro to the PSAC Tournament for the first time in 2014-15 with a 14-13 record, a four-game improvement over his first year, after being chosen to finish eighth in the PSAC West preseason poll. His first Boro squad finished 10-16 in 2013-14.

IUP: Joe Lombardi (Youngstown State '81) -- 270-95, 12th year

Joe Lombardi is in his 12th season as the head coach at IUP and is the program's winningest head coach with 270 wins. With their 20th win on Saturday vs. California(Pa.), the Crimson Hawks have now won 20-or-more games the last ten seasons.
Lombardi has led the Crimson Hawks to eight NCAA tournament appearances, three PSAC tournament titles (2010, 2011, 2013), two Atlantic Region Championships (2010, 2015) and two Division II National Championship Game appearances (2010, 2015).
He boasts a 156-48 record in conference games and has won seven PSAC West regular season titles, including five straight from 2010-14. Lombardi has also been the top postseason coach in IUP history with a combined record of 32-15 (.681) in PSAC and NCAA tournament games.
Lombardi wrapped up his 11th season at the helm in 2016-17, leading the Crimson Hawks to the postseason (PSAC and or NCAA tournaments) for the ninth straight year. For the third time in his career, Lombardi was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year, after guiding IUP to its ninth consecutive 20-win season. The Crimson Hawks finished the season 28-4 and advanced to the semifinals of the PSAC tournament for the seventh time in his tenure. IUP also returned to the NCAA tournament, earning the fourth seed in the Atlantic region.
The Crimson Hawks won the PSAC West regular season title with a 21-1 conference record. The 21 wins are the most regular season conference wins in PSAC history. IUP has won or shared the PSAC West seven times under Lombardi.
The Youngstown State alum was an assistant coach for Indiana (Pa.) from 1984-87. Prior to returning to IUP, Lombardi was an assistant coach at Pitt from 2003-06 after stints at LaSalle, St. Bonaventure and St. Francis. He was also a graduate assistant coach at Ohio and Youngstown State

The Fighting Scots
Probable Starters

P / No.	Player	Ht/Wt/Yr	Hometown	PPG / RPG
F / 23	Mike Beck	6-3/220/Sr.	Erie, Pa.	6.7 / 1.9
F / 3	Keshawn Liggins	6-5/205/Sr.	Middletown, Id.	23.8 / 10.7
F / 21	Jack Frank	6-8/220/Jr.	Tampa, Fla.	2.5 / 6.3
G / 5	Jaymon Mason	6-3/185/R-Jr.	Edinboro, Pa.	16.2 / 4.5
G / 4	Anthony Coleman	6-3/210/Jr.	Wickliffe, Ohio	16.3 / 4.2

Top Reserves

F / 45	Trey Staunch	6-4/265/Jr.	West Middlesex, Pa.	7.0 / 3.3
G / 13	Alex Jay	6-3/180/Fr.	Edinboro, Pa.	3.5 / 1.5
G / 14	Jaryn Simpson	6-1/150/Fr.	Erie, Pa.	3.4 / 1.4

Scouting the Fighting Scots

Edinboro has won five of its last six games to improve to 16-8 overall and 13-7 in the PSAC West. The lone loss in that stretch was a 72-71 setback to Gannon as the Golden Knights hit three free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining. Edinboro remained in the hunt for second place in the PSAC West with an 86-78 win at Clarion on Saturday. Edinboro has now qualified for postseason action three times in the last four years under head coach Pat Cleary. The 16 wins is the highest win total since Cleary took over as head coach. His 2015-16 squad finished 15-11.
The Fighting Scots are currently fourth in the PSAC West after being picked to finish eighth in the division in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll. The top six teams in each division qualify for the tournament, and that has been determined. The top two teams receive first round byes and the third and fourth seeds host first round contests.
Four of Edinboro's losses have come on buzzer-beaters in the last month, with three at McComb Fieldhouse. The Kutztown setback came on a basket with 0.8 seconds remaining, as the Golden Bears prevailed 91-89. A week later, Edinboro again lost in the final seconds as IUP hit a 3-pointer with 1.8 ticks showing for a 70-67 win. Mercyhurst hit the game-winner with 13.2 seconds to play to hand the Scots an 80-79 defeat. In the most recent loss, Gannon's Zay Jackson made three free throws with 0.4 seconds showing to hand the Scots a 72-71 defeat.
After a year filled with injuries in 2016-17, Edinboro has been able to start the same starting five in all 24 games. The Fighting Scots rank seventh in the PSAC in scoring offense (80.2 ppg.) and are also seventh in scoring defense (74.7 ppg.). They are third in turnover margin (+1.88) and second in free throw percentage (77.6 pct.).
Keshawn Liggins, Anthony Coleman, and Jaymon Mason are combining for over 56 points per game. Each is capable of putting up big numbers. They have combined for ten 30-point games. with Liggins reaching the mark in six contests. The last came as he scored 36 points in an 86-73 win over Clarion in the first meeting. He dropped in a career-high 39 points vs. Seton Hill in the first meeting. Coleman posted a season-best 32-point effort at Gannon, and had 30 points in the upset of then eighth-ranked Shippensburg. When Coleman led Edinboro with 19 points at Lock Haven, it marked the only time this season Edinboro has not had a scorer reach 20 points. Mason has now had 15 career 30-point games after scoring a season-high 33 points against Kutztown, his second 30-point effort of the year. He had 32 points vs. Daemen.
Second all-time leading scorer and preseason All-American Jaymon Mason battled an early-season injury, but he was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week after a pair of big games. Last Wednesday he came up with one of his most impressive efforts despite battling foul trouble. He made 9-of-15 field goals, including 3-of-5 3-pointers, to finish with 24 points. He added six assists. He scored 22 points at Clarion. The senior guard had a season-high 33-point effort against Kutztown, making 13-of-15 free throws. He had 32 points at Daemen, dropping in 6-of-12 3-pointers while going 10-of-11 at the charity stripe. Mason is averaging 16.2 ppg. and is second on the team with 82 assists. He has made 56-of-152 3-pointers.
Mason has moved into second place in career scoring and now has 1,921 career points, 34 points shy of breaking the school record that is held by his father, Tyrone Mason. He is also fifth in career assists with 394.
Keshawn Liggins was selected the Division II Bulletin Player of the Month for January. He has had 14 double-doubles and has pulled down 10-or-more rebounds in 15 contests. His 14th double-double came on Saturday as he finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds at Clarion. The 6'5" senior leads the PSAC in scoring (23.8 ppg.) and ranks eighth in Division II, and is third and 13th, respectively, in rebounding (10.7 rpg.). He scored a career-high 39 points vs. Seton Hill and 38 against Charleston. Liggins is a transfer from Idaho State and has been an ironman, ranking sixth in the country in minutes per game (38.3). His 14 double-doubles ranks third in the PSAC and 11th in Division II.
Liggins has scored 572 points this season, which ranks ninth in a season at Edinboro.
Anthony Coleman is a multi-faceted scorer who can burn the opposition from deep, or drive strong to the basket. The transfer from Cincinnati State CC displayed the former in the first meeting with. Gannon as he burned the Golden Knights for a season-high 32 points, making 7-of-12 3-pointers. The latter was in evidence against Clarion in the first meeting, as the 6'3" guard consistently drove to the hoop, ending the night with 24 points (8-of-12 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs). He added 10 rebounds for his first double-double. Coleman has had six games of 20-or-more points, including 30 points in an upset of Shippensburg. He is the top 3-point threat on the team, making 61-of-148 3-pointers. He ranks sixth in the PSAC in 3-point percentage (41.2 pct.) and is eighth in 3-pointers made per game (2.5).
The Fighting Scots posted the biggest win in Cleary's four-plus seasons as head coach earlier this year, an 88-86 triumph over eighth-ranked Shippensburg. Edinboro had previously upset 16th-ranked Indiana(Pa.), 79-77 in overtime, in 2014-15.
A two-year starter at right tackle on the offensive lineman, Trey Staunch is now making a now for himself on the hardwood. A former standout in football and basketball at West Middlesex High School, the 6'4", 265 lb. junior is playing a larger role each game. On the season, he is averaging 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds, but over the last eight games he is averaging 10.1 ppg. and 5.0 rpg. He is an excellent free throw shooter, hitting 83.9 percent at the charity stripe. Staunch joined the basketball team at the conclusion of the football season.
The combination of Jack Frank and Staunch is providing the Fighting Scots with plenty of production in the post. Frank, a 6'8" junior, is Edinboro's second-leading rebounder at 6.3 per game. He pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds in the first meeting with California(Pa.) and added 11 vs. Clarion in meeting number one.
A week ago, Mike Beck had the best game of his career as the 6'4" senior scored a career-high 23 points against Slippery Rock. He made 5-of-8 3-pointers while playing his usual strong defense. Beck has made 35-of-88 3-pointers while averaging 6.7 ppg. He has been assigned some of the top scorers in the PSAC defensively.
The freshman tandem of Alex Jay and Jaryn Simpson possesses some impressive genes and have provided the Fighting Scots with valuable minutes. Jay is the son of Sarah (Bishop) Jay, who ranks fourth in career scoring for the Edinboro women's basketball team, Simpson's father Bronze, is one of the all-time leading scorers and rebounders at Gannon. Jay, a 6'3" guard, is averaging 3.5 ppg. in 13.5 minutes per game and has made 17-of-49 3-pointers. Simpson, a 6'1" guard, is averaging 3.4 ppg. with 46 assists in 14.5 minutes per game.

Scouting the Crimson Hawks

Indiana(Pa.) has won two games in a row and picked up win number 20 with an 82-75 win over California(Pa.) on Saturday. It is the tenth year in a row that Joe Lombardi has led his team to 20 wins. The Crimson Hawks had a seven-game winning streak before losing back-to-back games to Pitt-Johnstown and Gannon.
IUP will celebrate Senior Night on Wednesday. The Crimson Hawks are 11-3 at the Kovalchick Complex. Overall, IUP is 20-7 and owns a 16-4 record in PSAC action. A win or loss by Gannon in the final two games will clinch the PSAC West regular season.
Head coach Joe Lombardi has enjoyed great success at IUP since taking over following a stint as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh. Now in his 12th season, he is the school's all-time winningest coach with 272 victories, and has guided the Crimson Hawks to eight NCAA tournament appearances, three PSAC tournament titles, two Atlantic Region Championships, and two Division II National Championship Game appearances. A year ago, IUP finished at 28-4 and reached the Atlantic Regional semifinals.
IUP averages 77.4 ppg., good for 12th in the PSAC, but stands fourth in the conference in scoring defense at 70.2 ppg. The Crimson Hawks have held 15 opponents under 70 points. In addition, IUP is second in the PSAC in field goal percentage defense (41.6 pct.).
IUP has four players averaging in double figures, led by senior Anthony Glover. The 6'1" guard is tied for eighth in the PSAC in scoring. IUP makes ample use of the 3-pointer, and he leads the team with 93 in 201 attempts. Glover leads the PSAC in 3-pointers made per game (3.44), and is second in 3-point field goal percentage (46.3 pct.). He has scored 1,269 points in three seasons at IUP. Glover was a second team All-PSAC West selection last year.
Jacobo Diaz, a 6'9" junior, was the 2017 PSAC West Athlete of the Year. He has had 12 double-doubles this season while averaging 14.9 ppg. and 9.6 rpg., the latter figure ranking fourth in the PSAC. He is also shooting 52.8 percent from the floor, which is seventh in the conference, and leads the team in steals (36) and ranks second in assists (79).
Dante Lombardi, a 6'0" junior and the son of head coach Joe Lombardi, scored 19 points against Cal to top 1,000 for his career with 1,009 points. Lombardi averages 12.9 ppg. and has a team-leading 128 assists. He stands third in the PSAC in assists per game (5.1). He has made 42-of-120 3-pointers, including the game-winner at Edinboro in the first meeting. Lombardi was a first team All-PSAC West selection a year ago.
Malik Miller, a 6'4" sophomore who missed five games recently, returned against Cal and scored 10 points. He comes off the bench to average 10.3 ppg.

Jaymon Mason in the Record Books SEASON RECORDS | CAREER RECORDS

CAREER SCORING: Second all-time with 1,921 points.
CAREER SCORING AVERAGE: Tied for fourth at 18.7 ppg.
CAREER 3-POINTERS: Is second in career 3-pointers made with 223 3-pointers made and is second in career 3-pointers attempted with 579. Is also eighth in career 3-point field goal percentage at 38.5 percent
CAREER FREE THROWS MADE: Broke Bryan Theriot's school record of 402 free throws made in the season opener. Mason now holds the record with 488.
CAREER FREE THROWS ATTEMPTED: Ranks first with 583 free throw attempts.
CAREER FREE THROW PERCENTAGE: Ranks sixth at 83.7 percent
CAREER ASSISTS: Is fifth with 397
CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE: Ranks fifth with 605
CAREER FIELD GOALS ATTEMPTED: Ranks fourth with 1,427

NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING SCOTS: Saturday, February 24 vs. Mercyhurst -- 3:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Mike Beck: F/G; 6' 4"; Senior

#21 Jack Frank: F; 6' 8"; Junior

#5 Jaymon Mason: G; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

#4 Anthony Coleman: G; 6' 3"; Junior

#13 Alex Jay: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

#3 Keshawn Liggins: G/F; 6' 5"; Senior

#14 Jaryn Simpson: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

#45 Trey Staunch: F; 6' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#23 Mike Beck
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F/G

#21 Jack Frank
: 6' 8"; Junior
: F

#5 Jaymon Mason
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#4 Anthony Coleman
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

#13 Alex Jay
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G

#3 Keshawn Liggins
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G/F

#14 Jaryn Simpson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G

#45 Trey Staunch
: 6' 4"; Junior
: F

Edinboro University Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

Fighting Scots Look to Upset PSAC West-Leading IUP with Game Streamed on ESPN

Players Mentioned

#23 Mike Beck

#21 Jack Frank

#5 Jaymon Mason

#4 Anthony Coleman

#13 Alex Jay

#3 Keshawn Liggins

#14 Jaryn Simpson

#45 Trey Staunch

Players Mentioned

#23 Mike Beck

#21 Jack Frank

#5 Jaymon Mason

#4 Anthony Coleman

#13 Alex Jay

#3 Keshawn Liggins

#14 Jaryn Simpson

#45 Trey Staunch