IUP men return home with convincing 85-60 win
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
California’s Khalil Jabbie (11) breaks away for Indiana’s Tevin Hanner (10) as he sprints to the hoop Wednesday at California University of Pa.’s Convocation Center.
Indiana's Brandon Spain (3) grabs the opening tip away from California's Luka Andjusic (35) during Wedneday's game at California University of Pa.
Indiana's Dante Lombardi (4) tries to stop California's Luka Andjusic (35) from passing the ball during Wednesday's contest at California University of Pa.'s Convocation Center.
California's Khalil Jabbie (11) squeezes between Indiana's Jeremy Bonifacio (1) and Jacobo Diaz (50) as he speeds to the basket Wednesday at California University of Pa.'s Convocation Center.
California's Daniel Sapp (23) looks for an opening around Indiana's Brandon Spain (3) during Wednesday's game at California University of Pa.'s Convocation Center.
California's Richard Smith (21) goes to the basket Wednesday during the Vulcans' game against Indiana (Pa.) at California University of Pa.'s Convocation Center.
CALIFORNIA — California University of Pa. had its color-coordinated fans behind it and a national television audience looking on when the Vulcans hosted Indiana University of Pa. in their highly anticipated men’s basketball clash on Wednesday night.
The Vulcans hung in the game for a while but it was the Crimson Hawks who gave a performance worth watching with a convincing 85-60 victory.
The PSAC West match-up was featured on ESPN3 as the NCAA Division II Game of the Week.
Brandon Norfleet scored a game-high 23 points as coach Joe Lombardi’s Crimson Hawks (15-5, 12-3) extended their winning streak to nine games.
The home crowd tried to give the Vulcans (7-14, 4-11) a boost with a “Red Out” as most fans sported Cal’s primary color.
The black clad IUP squad cast a large shadow over the Convocation Center, though, with the kind of play that has put it atop the conference standings.
Vulcans coach Bill Brown thought the festivities leading up to and during the game were a double-edged sword.
“I think it was kind of a Catch 22,” Brown said. “They were really excited about the crowd and the red out and the show of support. I think we weren’t as focused as we really needed to be. We really needed to gel and play as a team.
“But, it was a great night for basketball.”
Khalil Jabbie led Cal with 17 points. Luka Andjusic added 14 points and Richard Smith had 12 with eight rebounds.
The Crimson Hawks jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead before the Vulcans answered with a 9-2 run capped by Andjusic’s 3-pointer and Smith’s tip in to put Cal up 11-9.
Consecutive baskets by IUP’s Daddy Ugbede and a tip in by CJ Rudisill pushed the visitors ahead, 15-11, at the 12-minute mark of the first half.
The Vulcans countered with a 3-pointer by Josh Dombrosky and a jumper by Nick Miller for a 16-15 advantage.
Brandon Spain’s acrobatic lay-up put the Crimson Hawks back on top to stay, however, and they closed the half on a 29-14 run for a 44-30 lead.
“It got away from us,” said Brown, who tried to get his team back on track with a couple time outs. “I just wanted them to calm down and make the extra pass, and we didn’t get that done.
“I really think we hit a dead spot right before the half.”
Spain, who averages 6.8 points per game, led all scorers in the first half with 10 points.
Indiana stayed in control the entire second half and pushed the lead up to 20, 61-41, after Norfleet’s three-point play with 10:48 remaining.
“I thought in the first five minutes of the second half, if we could cut it in half we’d have an opportunity to stay in the game,” Brown said. “But we didn’t hit shots.”
IUP took its biggest lead when Tevin Hanner’s jump shot with 1:45 left made it 83-57.
One of the few second-half highlights for the Vulcans came with 5:38 left when Smith slammed home a lob from Jabbie to give the home crowd something to cheer for.
Glover scored 15 points for IUP. Ugbede added 13.
The game was a far cry from their first meeting when Indiana held off the visiting Vulcans, 62-51.
“With a couple minutes to go we were down four with the ball,” Brown recalled. “But tonight, we gave up a lot of transition lay-ups, we gave up a lot of second shots. We didn’t execute offensively and it caught up with us.”