Nick Wilkinson

Men's Basketball 2/6/2018 8:17:00 AM Bob Shreve, Sports Information Director

Fighting Scots Can Clinch PSAC Tournament Berth with Win at Seton Hill on Wednesday

After being picked to finish eighth in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, Edinboro can wrap up a berth in the PSAC Tournament with a win over Seton Hill. The Fighting Scots improved to 13-7 overall and 10-6 in the PSAC West with a 79-63 win over California(Pa.) on Saturday. It marked the first home game in two weeks and the first with students in session since November 19. Edinboro is tied with Gannon for third place in the Western Division, with Indiana(Pa.) (14-2) first and Slippery Rock (12-5) second. IUP and SRU have clinched spots in the PSAC Tournament.
The California(Pa.) game began a stretch of three home games in the next four contests, interrupted by the trip to Seton Hill. Edinboro has won two of its last three visits to SHU's McKenna Center.
In the last month, Edinboro has suffered three losses in the final seconds, to Kutztown, Indiana(Pa.), and most recently to Mercyhurst on a 3-pointer with 13.2 seconds remaining.
Edinboro has won two games in a row, snapping a three-game losing streak last Wednesday at Pitt-Johnstown. Holding a 72-70 lead, the Fighting Scots saw UPJ tie the game with a basket in the paint with 0.2 seconds showing. Edinboro would outscore the Mountain Cats 15-0 in the overtime period to claim the 87-72 win.
Seton Hill comes in with an 8-14 record and is 5-12 in PSAC action. The Griffins had a two-game winning streak snapped on Saturday, barely, as they suffered a 74-68 loss at Slippery Rock in overtime. Prior to that, the Griffins had posted wins over Clarion and Gannon. Seton Hill was picked to finish seventh in the PSAC West in the coaches' preseason poll.
The Fighting Scots rank eighth in the PSAC in scoring offense (79.7 ppg.) and seventh in scoring defense (74.3 ppg.). Seton Hill averages 74.8 ppg., good for 13th in the conference, and is 15th in scoring defense at 81.0 ppg.
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 led the Fighting Scots for the fifth straight game in scoring with 22 points against California(Pa.). Combined with a 29-point, 16-rebound effort at Pitt-Johnstown, he was named the PSAC West Co-Athlete of the Week. He leads the PSAC and is tenth in Division II in scoring at 23.6 ppg., along with third in the conference and 12th nationally in rebounding at 10.6 rpg. He was recently named to the Bevo Francis Award Watch List and was selected the Division II Bulletin Player of the Month for January. Anthony Coleman and Jaymon Mason add 16.9 and 16.1 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 points in every game but one.
Jaymon Mason continues to close the gap 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 1,853 points. He needs 102 points to break the career scoring record of 1,954 points, held by Tyrone Mason, his father.

Edinboro on Radio/Video

The Edinboro-Seton Hill game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9. Gabe Hypes will handle the play-by-play with Shane Mattern on color commentary.
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. Seton Hill

Tied at 5-5: Edinboro snapped a three-game losing streak to the Griffins in early January.
First Meeting: 2007-08 – Edinboro 98, Seton Hill 71
Last Meeting: 2017-18 – Edinboro 86, Seton Hill 74
Current Streak: Seton Hill has won the last three meetings
Cleary vs. Seton Hill: 4-5

Last Meeting
Jan. 3, 2018 – Edinboro 86, Seton Hill 74 at California, Pa. BOX | RECAP

Edinboro opened the 2018 portion of its schedule with a win over Seton Hill thanks to 39 points from Keshawn Liggins. The victory was the fifth straight for the Fighting Scots as they improved to 9-2 overall, bettering their 2016-17 win total.
Liggins had his third straight 30-point outing and his fifth of the season. He made 14-of-20 field goals, including 4-of-7 3-pointers, and was 7-for-7 at the line. He added six rebounds.
The transfer from Idaho State got the Fighting Scots off to a fast start, as he contributed five points in a 7-0 run to start the game, and had 12 points as they jumped out to a 23-9 with 12:30 remaining in the half.
Edinboro would take a 45-34 lead at the half as Liggins' long 3-pointer from the top of the key bounced on the front of the rim and went in as the buzzer sounded. It was the last of 24 points for Liggins in the first 20 minutes.
Seton Hill refused to go away in the second half, however, and cut a 10-point deficit to just two with 7:33 remaining on a pair of free throws by Nathan Davis to make it 66-64. That's when Liggins, who had scored just two points in the second half, took over once again.
He hit a jumper in the paint, then followed with a 3-pointer, and Mike Beck capped a string of eight straight points with another three to make it 74-64 just 92 seconds later.
Liggins went on to score 13 points in the final seven-and-a-half minutes as Seton Hill would pull no closer than eight points the rest of the way.
Jaymon Mason accounted for 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Anthony Coleman, the third part of Edinboro's Big Three, added 11 points and six assists.
Edinboro dominated the glass, 41-31, including 15 offensive boards, thanks to the post play of Frank and Trey Staunch. Frank finished with double-figure rebounds for the second straight game, pulling down 10 rebounds in 21 minutes. Staunch played 19 minutes and had a season-high nine boards.
Seton Hill also had three players in double figures, led by Trevor Blondin and Trevor Lecouna with 20 points apiece. Davis added 11 points.
Edinboro ended the game shooting 44.9 percent from the floor (31-of-69), while the Griffins came in at 50.0 percent (29-of-58). They did cool off slightly in the second half after shooting 55.6 percent in the first half. The Fighting Scots made 13-of-29 3-pointers compared to 5-of-13 for Seton Hill. Both teams made 11 free throws, Edinboro in 15 attempts and Seton Hill in 13. Seton Hill committed 12 turnovers compared to nine for the Scots, but Edinboro took full advantage of the Griffins' miscues. Edinboro held a 22-8 advantage in points off turnovers.

Head Coaches

Edinboro: Pat Cleary (Edinboro '99) -- 60-65, 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.
The 9-2 start is the best since Cleary took over as head coach.
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.

Seton Hill: Tony Morocco (199-206, 15th Year)

Tony Morocco was named Seton Hill's first-ever men's basketball head coach in 2002, with their first season coming in 2003-04.
The team he built from scratch made the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2007-08, where Morocco's squad finished 15-11.
Morocco's Griffins joined the PSAC in 2013-14, making the league tournament in 2014, and 2016, and '17.
Morocco previously held college coaching positions at Saint Francis, Iowa, Long Beach State, UNLV, Saint Vincent and Point Park. He has also coached professional teams including the Rockford Lightning of the Continental Basketball Association and Arecibo of the Puerto Rican Superior League.

The Fighting Scots
Probable Starters

P / No.	Player	Ht/Wt/Yr	Hometown	PPG / RPG
F / 23	Mike Beck	6-3/220/Sr.	Erie, Pa.	5.8 / 1.9
F / 3	Keshawn Liggins	6-5/205/Sr.	Middletown, Id.	23.6 / 10.7
F / 21	Jack Frank	6-8/220/Jr.	Tampa, Fla.	2.5 / 6.8
G / 5	Jaymon Mason	6-3/185/R-Jr.	Edinboro, Pa.	16.1 / 5.0
G / 4	Anthony Coleman	6-3/210/Jr.	Wickliffe, Ohio	16.9 / 4.2

Top Reserves

F / 45	Trey Staunch	6-4/265/Jr.	West Middlesex, Pa.	6.5 / 2.7
G / 13	Alex Jay	6-3/180/Fr.	Edinboro, Pa.	3.8 / 1.6
G / 14	Jaryn Simpson	6-1/150/Fr.	Erie, Pa.	3.9 / 1.4

Scouting the Fighting Scots

Edinboro is on the verge of clinching a PSAC Tournament berth after posting a 79-63 win over California(Pa.) on Saturday. The Fighting Scots improved to 13-7 overall and 10-6 in the PSAC West. The win was the first for Edinboro with students in session since November 19, as the Fighting Scots started a stretch of three home games in four games, after playing three straight contests on the road. Edinboro has won two games in a row.
The Fighting Scots are currently tied for third with Gannon in the PSAC West after being picked to finish eighth in the division in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll. Edinboro can clinch a PSAC Tournament berth with a win against Seton Hill. The top six teams in each division qualify for the tournament, with the top two teams receiving first round byes. Indiana(Pa.) is currently in first place at 14-2 and Slippery Rock is second at 12-5. Both have clinched a playoff spot in the Western Division.
Three of Edinboro's losses have come on buzzer-beaters in the last month. 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. Last Wednesday, Mercyhurst hit the game-winner with 13.2 seconds to play.
Edinboro looks to extend a modest two-game winning streak that includes last Saturday's 79-63 win over California(Pa.) and an 87-72 win in overtime at Pitt-Johnstown a week ago. The Fighting Scots were impressive in their first overtime game of the season. Edinboro outscored Pitt-Johnstown 15-0, as UPJ went 0-for-9 from the floor and Edinboro made 5-of-6 shots. Jaymon Mason and Anthony Coleman each had six points in overtime.
Edinboro is averaging 79.7 ppg., ranking eighth in the PSAC in scoring offense. The Fighting Scots had topped the 80-point mark in five straight games before being held to 69 points by Gannon, the top defensive team in the PSAC. They were then held to 67 by IUP, another of the conference's top defensive units. Mercyhurst came in ranked first in the PSAC and fourth in the country in scoring defense, but Edinboro would put 79 points on the board. The 87 points scored at Pitt-Johnstown marked the ninth time the Fighting Scots have scored 85-or-more points.. Edinboro is seventh in the PSAC in scoring defense (74.3 ppg.).
Keshawn Liggins, Anthony Coleman, and Jaymon Mason are combining for almost 57 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 latest came as he scored 36 points in the 86-73 win over Clarion. He dropped in a career-high 39 points vs. Seton Hill. Coleman posted a season-best 32-point effort at Gannon recently, 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 is now healthy and playing up to his normal standards. 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 16.1 ppg. and is second on the team with 62 assists. He has made 47-of-130 3-pointers. The senior guard moved into second place in career scoring in the first meeting with Pitt-Johnstown and now has 1,853 career points. He is also fifth in career assists with 381.
Keshawn Liggins was recently named to the Bevo Francis Award Watch List, and was also selected the Division II Bulletin Player of the Month for January last week. He was named the PSAC West Co-Athlete of the Week on Monday. He had his 12th double-double at UPJ with 29 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. Liggins has pulled down 10-or-more rebounds in 13 contests. The 6'5" senior leads the PSAC in scoring (23.6 ppg.) and ranks tenth in Division II, and is third and 12th, respectively, in rebounding (10.6 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 fourth in the country in minutes per game (38.8). His 12 double-doubles ranks third in the PSAC and tenth in Division II.
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 vs. 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, 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 53-of-129 3-pointers. He ranks fifth in the PSAC in 3-point percentage (41.1 pct.) and is seventh in 3-pointers made per game (2.7).
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. He scored a season-high 14 points in back-to-back games against Slippery Rock and Mercyhurst, and is now averaging 6.5 ppg. and 2.7 rpg. in just 15.6 minutes per game. He is an excellent free throw shooter, hitting 79.5 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 6.8 per game. He pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds in the first meeting with California(Pa.) and added 11 vs. Clarion.
Mike Beck scored 19 points in the win over Millersville, and had a 13-point effort against Clarion. The 6'4" senior is averaging 5.8 ppg. with 26 3-pointers in 72 attempts. His biggest contributions have come on defense, as he has been assigned some of the top scorers in the PSAC.
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 3.8 ppg. in 14 minutes per game and has made 16-of-43 3-pointers. Simpson, a 6'1" guard, is averaging 3.9 ppg. with 42 assists in 15.6 minutes per game.
Michael Sims Jr. provided a major lift off the bench at UPJ. The junior guard played a season-high 22 minutes, and while scoring just a point, he helped slow down standout point guard Dale Clancy.

Scouting The Griffins

Seton Hill comes in with an 8-14 record and is 5-12 in the PSAC West. Head coach Tony Morrocco's team was picked to finish seventh in the PSAC West. The Griffins have made the PSAC Tournament three of the last four years, and is looking to mkake a late run with wins in two of their last three games. That includes a 74-70 win over Gannon. Seton Hill had its two-game losing streak snapped on Saturday, suffering a 74-68 loss in overtime at Slippery Rock.
The Griffins led for much of the game at Slippery Rock, including a nine-point advantage with just over seven minutes to play. SRU would hold Seton Hill without a basket in overtime until the 31 second mark. Spencer Casson led Seton Hill with 16 points, with Nathan Davis contributing 15 and Trevor Blondin 14. .
Seton Hill average 74.8 ppg., good for 13th in the PSAC, while allowing 81.0 ppg., which ranks 15th. Turnovers have greatly hampered Seton Hill. They have a minus 3.7 turnover margin, which ranks 17th in the PSAC, and average 15.4 turnovers per game.
Trevor Blondin leads three players in double figures. A 6'4" guard, the junior is averaging 20.8 ppg., good for seventh in the PSAC in scoring. He adds 4.5 rpg. Blondin has made 41-of-100 3-pointers.
Nathan Davis adds 13.8 ppg. and ranks second on the team with 5.1 rpg. The 6'4" sophomore is the Griffins' top 3-point threat, making 43 in 116 attempts. He has a team-high 30 steals.
Spencer Casson is the two-time reigning PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year. A 6'8", 260 lb. redshirt senior, Casson averages a team-leading 7.7 rpg. and leads the PSAC with 69 blocked shots, good for third in Division II. He has been the PSAC's top shot blocker each of the last two years with 108 a year ago and 95 in 2015-16. He led Division II in blocks per game as a sophomore and was second last year. While known more for his defense, Casson is averaging 9.9 ppg. and shooting 58.2 percent from the floor (85-of-146).
Twelve different players have started at least one game for Seton Hill. Trevor Lecuona, a junior guard, has started all 20 games he has played in .He leads the Griffins in assists (84) and is second in steals (24).

Jaymon Mason in the Record Books SEASON RECORDS | CAREER RECORDS

CAREER SCORING: Second all-time with 1,853 points.
CAREER SCORING AVERAGE: Tied for fourth at 18.7 ppg.
CAREER 3-POINTERS: Is second in career 3-pointers made with 214 3-pointers made and is second in career 3-pointers attempted with 557. Is also seventh in career 3-point field goal percentage at 38.4 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 475.
CAREER FREE THROWS ATTEMPTED: Ranks first with 568 free throw attempts.
CAREER FREE THROW PERCENTAGE: Ranks sixth at 83.6 percent
CAREER ASSISTS: Is fifth with 381
CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE: Ranks sixth with 582
CAREER FIELD GOALS ATTEMPTED: Ranks fourth with 1,371

NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING SCOTS: Saturday, February 10 vs. Gannon -- 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

#11 Michael Sims Jr.: G; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

#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

#11 Michael Sims Jr.
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: 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 Can Clinch PSAC Tournament Berth with Win at Seton Hill on Wednesday

Players Mentioned

#23 Mike Beck

#21 Jack Frank

#5 Jaymon Mason

#11 Michael Sims Jr.

#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

#11 Michael Sims Jr.

#4 Anthony Coleman

#13 Alex Jay

#3 Keshawn Liggins

#14 Jaryn Simpson

#45 Trey Staunch