Erie, Pa.—The PSAC West standings could get shaken up this week as No. 21/RV Mercyhurst Men's Basketball hosts first-place Pitt-Johnstown Wednesday and heads to second-place No. 4/3 Indiana (Pa.) Saturday for a nationally-ranked rematch.
The Matchups
The Lakers last saw the Mountain Cats in the 2019-20 PSAC Tournament Quarterfinal Round on March 4, 2020, when Mercyhurst advanced with an 84-66 win at home. The Lakers are now 26-24 all-time against UPJ dating back to 1972.
Indiana dealt Mercyhurst a 70-67 loss that came down to the final seconds when they traveled to Erie on Jan. 12. IUP is now 29-13 against the Lakers all-time since 1981.
Have a Day, Cam Gross
Graduate student Cameron Gross led all scorers in Monday's win at Slippery Rock with 18 points. He went 7-8 from the floor with a pair of three-pointers, and added eight rebounds. Gross is averaging 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds following his outburst Monday.
A Look at the Polls
After downing Edinboro 95-60 Wednesday and coming up short against Cal on Saturday, the Lakers have fallen again in both national polls. Mercyhurst is now ranked No. 21 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches and is Receiving Votes in the latest Division II Sports Information Directors of America national media poll. The media poll also now slots Mercyhurst at No. 6 in the Atlantic Region.
Scouting UPJ
The Mountain Cats are coming off a big upset win as they took down Indiana 70-68 at home Monday. That win also gave them sole possession of first place in the PSAC West with a 14-3 overall record and 10-1 conference record. Fred Mulbaugh helped the team to their seventh straight win with 22 points, boosting his average to 16.6 points per game. Reigning PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week John Paul Kromka leads UPJ with 16.9 points per game.
Scouting IUP
The Crimson Hawks faced a pair of postponements after defeating the Lakers on Jan. 12, but returned with wins at Seton Hill and Clarion last week before Monday's setback in Johnstown. Now 15-2 overall and 9-2 in conference play, Indiana will get to play on their own court for the first time in 2022 as they host Edinboro Wednesday before welcoming the Lakers in on Saturday. Armoni Foster is up to 19.8 points per game, with Ethan Porterfield following close behind at 17.4 points per game.
