Gannon snaps Crimson Hawks’ nine-game win streak

The Crimson Hawks fell to Gannon, 57-55, in the final seconds of the game, snapping their nine-game win streak.

After a slow first half, Indiana University of Pennsylvania went into the locker room trailing 30-24. Midway through the second half, the Crimson Hawks’ offense got hot and went on a 15-0 run, taking a 45-38 lead with 11:23 to go. IUP was unable to hold off Gannon, who chipped away at the lead and were eventually back on top 50-48.

“We were sluggish,” Head Coach Joe Lombardi said. “We just didn’t seem to have the energy and the communication we normally have. 

“Certain times during the course of the season you don’t find the right amount of energy you need to play properly. In the first half we were out of sorts a little bit and I’m not sure why, but we just didn’t have the look that we’ve had over the past month.”

Late in the game, IUP cut Gannon’s four-point lead in half off a couple of free throws by Anthony Wells to make the score 54-52 with 48 seconds left in the game. 

The Golden Knights were able to get their lead back to four, but the Crimson Hawks continued to fight back and brought themselves again within two.

Mathis Keita sunk a three pointer to bring the score to 56-55 with 15 seconds remaining before a free throw made by Gannon increased its lead to 57-55. A last second three-point shot by Wells bounced off the rim and IUP took the loss.

“As a coach, sometimes you look for answers and sometimes you don’t need to over analyze,” Lombardi said. “They’re the same team that won nine in a row and you just have to move on and get back to work.”

IUP struggled throughout the night getting out-rebounded 37-29 and shooting just 23.8 percent, 5-21, from three-point range.

“I didn’t coach well enough to win and they didn’t play well enough to win,” Lombardi said. “So as a group of coach and players we just have to take ownership of that and not look around at anything else. 

“We need to go back and do a better job whether it’s performance or preparation on the night of the game and move forward and continue to get better.”

Keita led the Crimson Hawks with 16 points, adding eight rebounds. Marcel Souberbielle had 11 points while Scooter Renkin finished with seven points and seven rebounds.

With the loss, the seventh-ranked Crimson Hawks’ record falls to 17-3 overall, 13-3 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

The loss was the first for the Crimson Hawks at home this season, who are now 11-1 in the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.

The Crimson Hawks are back on the road Saturday as they take on Clarion. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.