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Edinboro University Athletics

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Pat Cleary vs. Penn St Shenango
Matt Durisko

Men's Basketball Bob Shreve, Sports Information Director

Fighting Scots Wrap Up Homestand Hosting Youthful UPJ Squad

PITT-JOHNSTOWN Mountain Cats (13-8, 8-6 PSAC West) at EDINBORO Fighting Scots (5-13, 2-11 PSAC West)    
Wednesday, February 6, 2019, 7:30 PM | McComb Fieldhouse | Edinboro, Pa.
LINKS: LIVE STATS | AUDIO-WFSE 88.9 l WATCH


ADDITIONAL LINKS
EDINBORO: ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS
PITT-JOHNSTOWN: ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS
 
The Game Story
  • Edinboro wraps up a three-game homestand at McComb Fieldhouse while beginning the second half of action in the PSAC West. The Fighting Scots were off this past Saturday and last played against Mercyhurst a week ago. They would suffer their second straight loss by a 90-59 count to a hot Lakers team. That left Edinboro with a 5-13 record and 2-11 in PSAC action. Pitt-Johnstown is 13-8 and 8-6 in conference play after handing Gannon a 76-65 defeat on Saturday. The Mountain Cats are a perfect 10-0 at home, but 3-8 away from home. They are fourth in the PSAC West, with a two-game cushion over Gannon.
  • Edinboro and Pitt-Johnstown met in the PSAC Tournament first round a year ago, with the Fighting Scots making it a clean sweep of the three meetings with a 77-67 win. The two teams met for the first time this season on January 12 at Johnstown, with UPJ claiming a 100-88 decision.          
  • Edinboro comes in averaging 71.2 ppg., ranking 14th in the PSAC, while allowing 83.2 ppg., which is 16th in the PSAC. After facing a Mercyhurst team that was one of the top defensive units in the country, Edinboro now faces a Pitt-Johnstown outfit that ranks among the top offensive teams in the PSAC. The Mountain Cats come in tied for third in scoring offense (83.6 ppg.) and eighth in scoring defense (74.7 ppg.). They lead the PSAC in field goal percentage (50.6 pct.) and free throw percentage (74.7 pct.), while also ranked first in field goal percentage defense (39.5 pct.).
  • The Fighting Scots look to slow down a freshman-dominated Pitt-Johnstown squad. Five of the team's top six scorers are freshmen, with the leading scorer junior Josh Wise, who went over 1,000 career points on Saturday.
  • Jaryn Simpson and Trey Staunch have formed a dynamic inside-outside punch for the Fighting Scots. Simpson, a sophomore guard, ranks ninth in the PSAC in scoring at 18.3 ppg, along with fifth in assists (4.5 per game). Staunch, better known for his play as an offensive tackle on the football team, adds 14.4 ppg. and a team-high 6.5 rpg.   
  • Head coach Pat Cleary was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year after leading Edinboro to an 18-11 record a year ago. It marked the finest year of his five-year reign after Edinboro had been picked to finish eighth in the Western Division. The Fighting Scots would finish 13-9 in PSAC action, good for fourth place. They went on to defeat Pitt-Johnstown in the opening round, followed by an upset of top-seeded Indiana(Pa.) in the quarterfinals. Edinboro would lose to eventual PSAC champion East Stroudsburg in the semifinals. 
On the Radio/Video
  • The Edinboro-Pitt-Johnstown game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9. The game can also be viewed live as part of the PSAC Network.  
All-Time Series vs. Pitt-Johnstown
  • Edinboro leads 23-10: Edinboro has won three of the last four meetings.
  • First Meeting: 1969-70 – Edinboro 115, UPJ 55
  • Last Meeting: 2018-19 – UPJ 100, Edinboro 88  
  • Current Streak: Pitt-Johnstown won the last meeting
  • Cleary vs. UPJ: 6-6
Last Meeting
January 12, 2019 – Pitt-Johnstown 100, Edinboro 88 at Johnstown, Pa. BOX | RECAP
  • Edinboro fell victim to one of the top offensive teams in the country, but not before putting a scare into Pitt-Johnstown late in the game. UPJ came in leading the PSAC in both scoring offense and field goal percentage, and showed why by shooting 58.3 percent from the floor.
  • The Mountain Cats would build a 13-point halftime lead to 27 points at 78-51 with 13:43 remaining. A young Fighting Scots team with just nine players dressed refused to hold, and used a 20-7 spurt to pull to within eight points at 91-83 with 3:10 left to play. Edinboro would close within eight on one more occasion with just over a minute to play.
  • Edinboro ended the day shooting 37.5 percent from the floor (27-of-72), but made 8-of-18 3-pointers in the second half to get back into the game. The Fighting Scots ended the day matching season highs for 3-pointers made (13) and attempted (34). They were 21-of-27 from the line. Pitt-Johnstown came in leading the PSAC in scoring offense and field goal percentage, and was 12th in Division II in the latter category. The Mountain Cats would end the day at 58.7 percent from the field (37-of-63), the highest figure by an opponent this year.  They made 7-of-13 3-pointers and made 19-of-25 3-pointers.             
  • Edinboro held a 43-37 rebounding advantage, including 22 offense boards. However, they would finish with just eight second-chance points. UPJ, meanwhile, held a 50-26 edge in points in the paint. The Mountain Cats held a 29-13 advantage in points off turnovers.
  • Jaryn Simpson fell one point shy of his career high, finishing with 33 points. He had 34 points earlier in the year at Bloomsburg, and now has six games of 20-or-more points. In fact, the sophomore guard finished with his second career double double, pulling down 11 rebounds. He made 8-of-19 field goals, including 4-of-10 3-pointers, and was 13-of-14 at the line. He added four assists.
  • Turner Kurt, a 6'8" freshman, added a season-high 18 points, making 4-of-12 3-pointers.   
  • Edinboro had five players in double figures, all told. Trey Staunch ended with 12 points, adding eight rebounds. Steven Freeman matched his season high with 11 points, adding a career-high nine assists, while Alex Jay ended the day with 10 points.
  • Pitt-Johnstown also had five players in double figures, led by Fred Mulbah with 21 points. John Paul Kromka had 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven blocked shots. Josh Wise and Romano Sebastiani scored 15 points apiece, and Jared Jakubick had 10 points. All but Wise are freshmen.            
Head Coach Pat Cleary (Edinboro '99) -- 70-82, 6th 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'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. Two years 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. 
  • The 2017-18 Fighting Scots were picked to finish eighth in the PSAC West Coaches' Preseason Poll. They would surprise the league with a fourth place finish at 13-9 in league play, and 18-11 overall. Edinboro would defeat Pitt-Johnstown in the opening round of the PSAC Tournament, then hand top-seeded Indiana(Pa.) a defeat in the quarterfinals. The playoff run came to an end with a loss to eventual PSAC champion East Stroudsburg in the semifinals. It marked Edinboro's first appearance in the PSAC Final Four since 2008.
  • Cleary was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year. The 18 wins were the most by the Fighting Scots since the 2012-13 team won 18 games.  
  • 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.
Scouting the Fighting Scots
  • Edinboro comes into the Pitt-Johnstown game with a 5-13 overall record and is 2-11 in the PSAC West. They were picked to finish seventh in the PSAC West in the coaches' preseason after finishing fourth in the division with an 18-11 record a year ago.   
  • The Fighting Scots have now played 14 games without Anthony Coleman, and the last eight without double-figure scorer DeAnthony Owens (13.1 ppg.). Starting forward Daylon Harris missed time recently due to a death in the family, as well, while Steven Freeman had stepped in at guard and started three games before going down with an injury in practice. He missed two contests and has returned to see limited action the last three games.  
  • A second team All-PSAC West selection a year ago in his first season at Edinboro, Coleman averaged 15.2 ppg. and was one of the top 3-point threats in the PSAC. He scored in double digits in the first three games, and was well on his way to a fourth at Charleston. The 6'3" senior scored Edinboro's first seven points, but he would go out with an injury and not return. Coleman has not played since and his return is not known.
  • Jaryn Simpson continues to enjoy a breakout season as a sophomore. The 6'2" guard averaged 3.4 ppg. as a freshman, but has boosted that total to 18.3 ppg., good for ninth in the PSAC in scoring. He has scored in double figures in 16 of 18 games, with eight games of 20-or-more points, including a career-high 34 points vs. Bloomsburg and 33 in the first meeting with Pitt-Johnstown. Simpson ranks second in the PSAC in free throw percentage (89.4 pct.), and fifth in assists (4.5 per game) and 3-point field goals made (2.9). He has also become Edinboro's latest ironman, ranking second in the PSAC in minutes (37.6 per game).
  • Trey Staunch is Mr. Inside to Simpson's Mr. Outside. A 6'4", 280 lb. senior who earned second team All-PSAC West honors as an offensive tackle, he is in his second season on the hardcourt. Staunch is averaging 14.4 ppg. and a team-high 6.5 rpg. While hitting an occasional 15-foot jumper, his forte is muscling his way for layups, normally while giving up several inches inside. He ranks sixth in the PSAC in field goal percentage at 52.8 percent.
  • Daylon Harris has emerged as a dependable scorer in recent games. The 6'5" junior college transfer comes in at 7.9 ppg., but over the last three contests that figure is 11.7 ppg., including 18 points in the win over Clarion. He has added 7.0 rpg. during that span, more than double his season average.
  • Freshman Turner Kurt has played a key role throughout the year while starting eight contests. The 6'8" forward is averaging 8.0 ppg. and 4.4 rpg. while making 24-of-67 3-pointers. He hit one of the biggest shots of the season last Wednesday, a 3-pointer with less than two minutes to play after Clarion had closed to within two points. Kurt scored a season-high 18 points in the first meeting with Pitt-Johnstown.
Scouting the Mountain Cats
  • Pitt-Johnstown head coach Bob Rukavina is in his 30th season with an overall record of 481-339.  He entered the 2018-19 season ranked 23rd among active Division II coaches in wins. He has led the Mountain Cats to four NCAA Tournament appearances and seven 20-win seasons. Rukavina was named the 2015-16 PSAC West Coach of the Year after UPJ finished with an 18-11 record and posted a first-round PSAC Tournament win over Seton Hill. Pitt-Johnstown joined the PSAC to begin the 2013-14 season. Rukavina has guided the Mountain Cats to five consecutive conference tournament berths, including back-to-back appearances in the quarterfinals in 2016 and 2017.
  • The Mountain Cats are tied for third in the PSAC in scoring at 83.6 ppg. In addition, they are first in field goal percentage (50.6 pct.) and field goal percentage defense (39.5 pct.). 
  • Incredibly, five of UPJ's top six scorers are freshmen. Three of the first-year performers are in double digits, but the leading scorer is junior Josh Wise. The 6'3" guard is averaging 17.0 ppg. and went over 1,000 career points in Saturday's win over Gannon. He adds 5.7 rpg. Wise has 1,004 career points.
  • John Paul Kromka leads Rukavina's fab freshmen five. A 6'7" freshman, he averages 14.8 ppg. and a team-high 7.6 rpg. while ranking first in the PSAC in field goal percentage (63.5 pct.) and fifth in free throw percentage (83.5 pct.). He also paces the conference in blocks (2.5 per game).
  • Calden Landis has only started seven games, but the 6'7" freshman is averaging 10.1 ppg. and 4.9 rpg. while shooting 57.7 percent from the floor.  
  • Fred Mulbah, a 5'9" freshman guard, leads the team with 92 assists, good for third in the PSAC, and 30 steals. He is a fourth Mountain Cat in double figures at 10.0 ppg., making 17-of-56 3-pointers.
  • Freshmen Jared Jakubick and Joe Batt are also seeing plenty of action. Jakubick is 6'4" guard and the son of former Akron All-American Joe Jakubick. He was the 2017 Ohio Division 4 State Player of the Year. Jakubick comes in averaging 9.1 ppg. while making 36-of-76 3-pointers. Batt, a former standout at Greenville High School, is a 6'3" guard who is averaging 7.7 ppg. and has made 19-of-63 three's.
Next for the Fighting Scots
  • After wrapping up a string of three straight home games, Edinboro heads out on the road on Saturday, February 9 to play at California(Pa.). Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m. The Vulcans claimed a 90-66 win at McComb Fieldhouse on January 2 in the first meeting. The Fighting Scots play three of their next four games on the road.      
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Players Mentioned

Anthony Coleman

#4 Anthony Coleman

G
6' 3"
Senior
Alex Jay

#15 Alex Jay

G
6' 3"
Sophomore
Jaryn Simpson

#11 Jaryn Simpson

G
6' 2"
Sophomore
Trey Staunch

#45 Trey Staunch

F
6' 4"
Senior
Daylon Harris

#3 Daylon Harris

F
6' 5"
Junior
Turner Kurt

#33 Turner Kurt

F
6' 8"
Freshman
DeAnthony Owens

#24 DeAnthony Owens

G
6' 4"
Junior
Steven Freeman

#22 Steven Freeman

G
5' 11"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Anthony Coleman

#4 Anthony Coleman

6' 3"
Senior
G
Alex Jay

#15 Alex Jay

6' 3"
Sophomore
G
Jaryn Simpson

#11 Jaryn Simpson

6' 2"
Sophomore
G
Trey Staunch

#45 Trey Staunch

6' 4"
Senior
F
Daylon Harris

#3 Daylon Harris

6' 5"
Junior
F
Turner Kurt

#33 Turner Kurt

6' 8"
Freshman
F
DeAnthony Owens

#24 DeAnthony Owens

6' 4"
Junior
G
Steven Freeman

#22 Steven Freeman

5' 11"
Junior
G