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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Following a 10-day break between games, the Slippery Rock University men's basketball team will look to return to its winning ways today when it hosts Seton Hill University for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division meeting 1 p.m. Saturday at Morrow Field House. 
 
COVID-19 FAN INFORMATION (MORROW FIELD HOUSE)
• Fans should not attend any events if you are experiencing any symptoms or feeling ill.
• Masks are REQUIRED inside all buildings on the SRU campus, regardless of vaccination status.
• Fans are encouraged to social distance when possible at events.
 
TICKET PRICES
Adult General Admission - $10.00
Visiting PSAC Student with ID - $5.00
Age 6 to High School - $5.00
Under 6 Years Old - FREE
*Alumni Discount with Current Alumni Membership Card $2.00 off General Admission Only
 
WATCH ON YOUR TV - "ROCK ATHLETICS DIGITAL NETWORK" APPS
• Fans can watch Saturday's game this weekend live and on-demand for free on the Rock Athletics Digital Network, created and operated by the SRU athletic communication office.
 
• Search for Rock Athletics Digital Network in the app stores on Amazon Fire TV, Apple RV, Roku and Android TV devices. The streaming web player linked above will also integrate with Chrome Cast devices to allow viewers to cast the game to those devices.
 
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Slippery Rock has rescheduled its three games against Clarion, Indiana (Pa.) and California (Pa.) that were recently postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.
 
• SRU travels to IUP 7 p.m. Jan. 17
• Slippery Rock will host Clarion 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14.
• The Rock heads to Cal U 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21.
 
GAME 13 DETAILS
Opponent: Seton Hill
Date: Jan. 15 – 1 p.m.
Location: Morrow Field House
Live Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: SRU leads 14-5
Last Played: Feb 15, 2020 (SRU won 58-50)
 
RECORDS / LAST TIME OUT
• Records: Slippery Rock enters the final leg of its season-long six-game homestand at 9-3 overall and tied for second in the PSAC West standings courtesy of a 5-1 conference mark. Seton Hill enters Morrow Field House at 1-12 overall and 1-7 in league games.
 
• Last Time Out: Slippery Rock had its six-game winning streak snapped Jan. 5 in a tight 91-87 loss against Pitt-Johnstown while Seton Hill lost at home Monday to Gannon, 63-53.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES vs. SETON HILL
Slippery Rock has won eight straight games against Seton Hill to improve its record in the all-time series against the Griffins to 14-5. SRU is 9-1 against Seton Hill in games played at Morrow Field House.
 
LAST MEETING vs. SETON HILL
Led by a 20-point, eight-rebound, five-block, four-steal showing by Micah Till, Slippery Rock overcame a five-point halftime deficit to defeat Seton Hill, 58-50, at home on Feb. 15, 2020.
 
SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
Record: 9-3
PSAC Record: 5-1
PSAC West Standings: T-2
Home Record: 7-2
Away Record: 2-1
Streak: L1
Last Five Games: 4-1
Head Coach: Ian Grady | Fourth year at SRU (43-27)
 
WHERE WE LAST LEFT OFF
Prior to COVID-19 protocols forcing the postponement of three games, Slippery Rock went toe-to-toe with Pitt-Johnstown in what was an exciting 40-minute showdown that saw the Mountain Cats narrowly edge SRU, 91-87, at Morrow Field House. Saturday's game will mark just the second game for The Rock in the last 28 days.
 
HIGH-POWERED OFFENSE
Nearing the halfway point of the season one thing is clear about the 2021-22 Slippery Rock men's basketball team - its offense is dangerous. SRU enters the weekend averaging 86.6 points per game, shooting 47.5 percent from the field and making 8.3 3-pointers per game. If maintained through the rest of the year, all three statistics would rank among the top in single-season program history.
 
Currently, only five teams have averaged more than 85 points per game in program history, and none since 1994-95. A Rock team has not shot above 47 percent for a year since 1990-91 and just three teams have averaged eight or more 3-pointers per game in program history.
 
Single-Season PPG
94.3 (1990-91)
90.4 (1989-90)
88.6 (1994-95)
88.0 (1971-72)
86.6 (2021-22)
 
Single-Season Made 3-Pointers Per Game
9.2 (1994-95)
9.1 (2009-10)
8.7 (2018-19)
8.3 (2021-22)
7.9 (2008-09)
 
OFFENSIVE GLASS CLEANERS
Slippery Rock enters the weekend ranked fourth in the nation in offensive rebounding at 15.3 per game. The trio of Tyler Frederick (3.7), Jonathan McFall (2.9) and Lashon Lindsey (2.0) all average at least 2.0 offensive rebounds per game with Frankie Hughes (1.6) and Bobby Clifford (1.3) both grabbing at least one board a game on the offensive end of the floor as well.
 
DII Offensive Rebounding Leaders
UNC Pembroke (16.9)
West Chester (16.5)
Lincoln (PA) (15.5)
Slippery Rock (15.3)
Queens (NC) (14.9)
 
STOPPING A STREAK BEFORE IT STARTS
If history is any indication Saturday's game will be a victory. Not only is head coach Ian Grady a perfect 4-0 all-time against Seton Hill, but The Rock are also a solid 15-9 (.625) in games following losses under Grady. SRU rarely loses back-to-back games and even more uncommon are three-game losing streaks - something that's occurred just once with Grady as head coach.  
 
CALM AND COOL AT THE FOUL LINE
In 12 games this season, Slippery Rock is shooting a respectable 72.7 percent at the foul line which is good enough to rank ninth in the PSAC. However, over the last four games SRU has excelled at the line, going 44-of-52 for a .846 shooting percentage. The trio of Jonathan McFall (16-17), Frankie Hughes (10-12) and Tyler Frederick (9-11) have combined to go 35-of-40 (.875) over the stretch to lead the way.
 
HUGHES WITH A GAME FOR THE AGES
While Slippery Rock did see its six-game winning streak come to an end against Pitt-Johnstown, the night will still be remembered for one of the top single-game performances ever at Morrow Field House as PSAC West Athlete of the Week Frankie Hughes exploded for 44 points as The Rock's sharpshooter went 16-of-26 from the field overall including a stellar 10-of-17 effort from 3-point range and a perfect 2-for-2 showing at the foul line.
 
In addition to being tied for the fourth-highest single-game scoring performance in program history, Hughes' 44 points also ranked as the fourth most scored by a player in Division II this year and was the fifth highest total by a PSAC athlete over the last six seasons. Defensively, Hughes also came away with six steals, which is tied for the seventh highest total all-time at The Rock.
 
In his first season at The Rock, Hughes has produced per game totals of 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.3 assists per game. He leads the team in both scoring and steals in addition to ranking fourth and second across the PSAC in both respective categories.
 
HUGHES LEADS PSAC IN 3's
Through 12 games, Frankie Hughes has made a PSAC-high 37 3-pointers this season. The long range threat averages 3.1 made 3-pointers per game this season and has been held without a triple just twice this year.
 
PSAC Made 3-Pointer Leaders
Frankie Hughes (Slippery Rock): 37
MiyKah McIntosh (Mercyhurst): 34
Ethan Porterfield (IUP): 28
Mark Anthony Fidelis (Lock Haven): 27
Khari Williams (Millersville): 25
 
DOUBLE-DOUBLE #4 IN BOOKS FOR FREDERICK
Tyler Frederick posted his fifth double-digit rebounding effort, and fourth double-double, of season against Pitt-Johnstown with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Frederick, the PSAC's third leading rebounder, has averaged 13.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game for The Rock this season over 11 games played and eight starts.
 
One of The Rock's true interior players, Frederick will face a solid challenge Saturday against a big Seton Hill front line rotation that includes Jimmy Moon (7-0), Marrek Paola (6-10) and Miles Monchecourt (6-8).
 
Frederick's career average of 9.8 rebounds per game is the 11th highest average among all active NCAA athletes regardless of division.
 
BIG TIME CONSISTENCY FROM McFALL
Few players in the PSAC have been as consistent as Jonathan McFall this season. The versatile froward is second on the team in scoring at 17 ppg all the while leading The Rock in blocked shots (1.3 bpg) in addition averaging 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals a night. McFall has earned his impressive scoring average on stellar shooting percentages of .579 from the field and .921 at the foul line. McFall has shot below 50 percent in a game just twice this season. He has also been held to under 15 points just three times and without at least five rebounds on just three occasions.
 
BRITT BACK FOR THE ROCK
After missing the Pitt-Johnstown game, his first DNP in a collegiate game, Rock point guard Amante Britt is set to return to the lineup against Seton Hill. Britt's importance to The Rock's success cannot be understated. The junior, who ranks third in the PSAC in assists, fourth in assist-turnover ratio and 11th in steals, averages 12.7 points, 5.6 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the floor and 78.3 percent at the foul line.
 
Simply put, SRU is a better team when Britt is on the floor. In his 11 games this season, he holds a team-high plus/minus - the measure of the point differential for a team when a player is on the court - of +130.
 
ROUNDING OUT THE STARTING LINEUP
In his first collegiate season as an active player, redshirt freshman Bobby Clifford is one of three players, along with Jonathan McFall and Frankie Hughes, to have started all 12 contests. Over those 12 games, Clifford is playing 27.3 minutes a night on the way to averaging 7.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and just under one steal a game. In Britt's absence against Pitt-Johnstown, Clifford helped to fill the point guard void on offense, finishing the contest with a career-high eight assists while also matching his previous season-high in steals at four.
 
BENCH PRODUCTION
When Slippery Rock is at full strength, the trio of Lashon Lindsey, Dylan Ahearn and Nik Cazacu have proven to be great assets for The Rock off the bench.
 
Lindsey, who has also started five games, is capable of being a do-it all forward for The Rock as the 6-8 post averages 5.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and nearly a block per game.
 
Ahearn has served as SRU's first guard off the bench as of late and is a capable shooter from deep with 12 3-pointers on the season. His 3-point shooting percentage of .387 would rank 10th in the PSAC if he meant the required shooting attempts.
 
One of the best pure athletes on the team, Cazacu goes for 3.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg.
 
FASHIONABLY LATE STARTERS
Slippery Rock can largely attribute its great start to the 2021-22 season to its excellent play in the second half. While Slippery Rock has been prone to getting off to slow starts against Division II opponents (10 games), with 35.8 points, a 42.1 field goal percentage and a +0.3 rebounding margin over the opening 20 minutes. However, it has shined in the second half, scoring 46.1 points, shooting 51.8 percent and boasting a +3.7 rebounding margin.
 
Category-First Half / Second Half    
Scoring: 35.8 / 46.1
Opponent Scoring: 37.6 / 39.4
FG %: 42.1% / 51.8% 
Opponent FG %: 48.3%/ 47.0%
3PT FG %: 30.4%/ 33.9%
Opponent 3PT FG %: 47.5% / 35.8%
Rebounding: 18.4 / 19.1
Rebounding Margin: +0.3 / +3.7
Turnover Margin: +1.8 / +1.4
* vs. Division II teams
 
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MISTAKES
Slippery Rock, which has forced opponents into 16.1 turnovers per game this season, has done a great job of converting its opponent miscues into points. Through 12 games, SRU has averaged 18.7 points off turnovers per game.
 
If The Rock are able to maintain that average through the rest of the season it would top the previous program record of 17.8 points off of turnovers per game set by the 2018-19 team. SRU began tracking points off turnover as a statistic in 2014-15.
 
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART (AND WINS) ARE
Few teams in the Atlantic Region dominate at home like SRU does at
Morrow Field House. Since 2008-09, Slippery Rock is an outstanding 138-41 (.771) at home. Included in the record is a stellar 7-2 mark in home games this season. Seven of The Rock's final 16 games this year will be played at Morrow Field House.
 
WHO SAYS THERE'S NO SECOND CHANCES IN LIFE?
The Rock has been able to score 15.7 second chance points per game. Over the last seven seasons only the 2017-18 (17.6) and 2014-15 (16.9) teams have scored more second chance points per game.
 
SRU IN THE PSAC RANKINGS
Slippery Rock comes into the Seton Hill game ranked second in the PSAC in offensive rebounding, turnover margin (+4.42) and turnovers per game (11.7) in addition to being third in scoring, scoring margin (+11.7) and 3-pointers made (100). Rounding out The Rock's top PSAC rankings are fourth-place showings in rebounding margin (+6.7) and blocked shots (54).
 
GRADY MOVING UP WIN CHART
Slippery Rock head coach Ian Grady will open the PSAC West portion of the 2021-22 schedule with a stellar career record of 43-26 (.623). He is currently tied for second place along with Gary Manhcel (Mercyhurst / 2003-06) among all 18 active PSAC coaches for victories in their first three full seasons at their current schools. West Chester's Damien Blair (2008-11) currently ranks first among active PSAC coaches for wins in their first three years at their current schools at 48.
 
SETON HILL PRIMER
Season Stats: Link
Record: 1-12
PSAC Record: 1-7
PSAC West Standings: 9th
Home Record: 1-5
Away Record: 0-5
Neutral Site Record: 0-2
Streak: L3
Last Five Games: 1-4
Head Coach: Kendrick Saunders | Third year at SHU (14-53)
 
SCOUTING SETON HILL
Seton Hill's offensive output is primarily centered around the trio of Samuel Tabe (12.6 ppg), Drew Green (12.4) and Jimmy Moon (11.4). Moon is also the Griffins' leading rebounder at 5.8 per contest. Moon averaged 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in two games against Slippery Rock during the 2019-20 season. The Griffins come into tonight's game scoring 67.8 points per game while allowing 79.1 ppg.
 
Saturday's game marks the third time that SHU will be playing a regular season game at Morrow Field House this year - the Griffins opened the season as one of four participants at the Butler County Chamber of Commerce Conference Challenge hosted by Slippery Rock against Alderson Broaddus and Notre Dame.
 
UP NEXT
For the first time in over a month, SRU will take to the road to play at No. 10 Indiana University (Pa.) 7 p.m. Jan. 17.
 
 

 
 
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