Game Notes - Tickets

GAME PROGRAM INFO
Slippery Rock has moved away from printed game programs for all sports. This page will serve as the "Digital Game Program" for this week's game. To navigate to all gameday info for any SRU home events this year, simply visit rockathletics.com/gameday or scan the QR code on the "Gameday Info" posters hanging in each facility.
 

Slippery Rock vs. California (Pa.)
The Rock (13-5, 6-4)	Vulcans (12-5, 9-1)
Roster	Roster
Schedule	Schedule
Statistics	Statistics
Coach Ian Grady	Coach Danny Sancomb
Program Records	Program Records
PSAC Standings
PSAC Leaders
PSAC Schedule
Morrow Field House
Tickets
Game Notes

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team will look to snap a two-game losing streak when it hosts California (Pa.) in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division showdown 2 p.m. Saturday at Morrow Field House.
 
TICKET PRICES
Fans are encouraged to purchase advance tickets online HERE.
Adult General Admission: $10
Visiting Student with valid student ID: $5
Ages 7-High School: $5
Ages 6 and Under: FREE
SRU Students: FREE with valid student ID
Game Day Sales Only
Alumni (w/ Valid ID): $8
Faculty/Staff: $8
 
DIVINE NINE GAME
Saturday's doubleheader will serve as Slippery Rock basketball's first "Divine Nine Game". The Divine Nine consist of the nine recognized Black Greek-letter organizations, which are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).
 
Founded in 1930, the NPHC was established to create unity among the Black Greek-letter organizations, provide a collective voice, and coordinate the efforts of these fraternities and sororities across the nation. Its mission centered on promoting cooperation, addressing campus and community issues and uplifting African American students and families. To read more about the Divine Nine click HERE.
 
On the Slippery Rock campus there are two Divine Nine fraternities and sororities: Alpha Kappa Alpha and Alpha Phi Alpha. Both organizations will be present Saturday with informational tables in the Morrow Field House lobby. The groups will also be recognized at halftime the men's game.
 
WATCH ON YOUR TV - "ROCK ATHLETICS DIGITAL NETWORK" APPS
• Fans can watch Saturday's game 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 TV, 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.
 
GAME 19 DETAILS
Opponent: California (Pa.)
Date: Saturday – 2 p.m.
Location: Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Venue: Morrow Field House
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
Tickets: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
 
SERIES HISTORY vs. CALIFORNIA
Overall: Cal leads 94-90
Current Streak: CAL W4
At Morrow Field House: SRU leads 38-28
First Meeting: Jan. 17, 1920 (SRU won 37-9)
Last Meeting: Feb 8, 2025 (CAL won 86-73)
Most Points, SRU: 115 - Feb. 20, 1991
Most Points, CAL: 113 - Feb. 20, 1991
Largest Victory, SRU: 46 (86-40, Feb. 23, 1946)
Largest Victory, CAL: 35 (98-63, Feb 3, 1999)
SRU coach Ian Grady vs. California: 5-9
California coach Danny Sancomb vs. SRU: 9-5
 
The Vulcans have captured four straight games from The Rock to improve their record in the all-time series, which traces back to 1920, to 94-90.
 
Slippery Rock's last win in the series came over a then-ranked 13th California team at Morrow Field House on Jan. 13, 2024. Since then, the Vulcans have earned three regular season wins - including the season sweep last year and a PSAC Tournament victory that ended SRU's 2023-24 season. SRU is 38-28 when hosting Cal at Morrow Field House.
 
ROCK ROTATION vs. CALIFORNIA
• Ike Herster: 16.3 Points, 3.8 Rebounds (4 GP)
• Maceo Austin: 15.5 Points, 7.0 Rebounds, 1.5 Steals (4 GP)
• Sheick Samoura: 7.6 Points, 2.4 Rebounds, 1.0 Steals (5 GP)
• Mack Staunch: 2.4 Rebounds (5 GP)
 
CALIFORNIA ROTATION vs. SRU
• Bryson Lucas: 11.8 Points, 3.7 Rebounds, 2.0 steals (6 GP)
• Keondre DeShields: 11 Points, 15 Rebounds, 1 Steal (1 GP)
• Jordyn Buchanan: 4.5 Points, 4.0 Rebounds, 1.5 Steals (2GP)
• Antoine Arnett: 2.8 Points, 1.5 Rebounds (4 GP)
• Dalman Alexander: 2.4 Points, 5.6 Rebounds, 1.4 Blocks (5 GP)

RECORDS
Slippery Rock enters the weekend on its first losing streak of the year, which has dropped its record to 13-5 overall and 6-4 in league contests. The Vulcans come to The Rock at 12-5 overall and 9-1 in the PSAC.

LAST TIME OUT
SRU lost at Seton Hill, 88-62, while California defeated Edinboro, 82-77. Both games were played Jan. 17. 

PSAC WEST SNAPSHOT
With three games left in the opening half of the PSAC West round-robin schedule, the divisional standing hierarchy is slowly starting to take shape. 
 
• Gannon and California enter the weekend atop the PSAC West standings courtesy of matching 9-1 league records. IUP is a game off the leaders' pace in third place at 8-2.
 
• With its home win over The Rock, Seton Hill took over sole possession of fourth place via a 7-3 league mark, leaving SRU in fifth place at 6-4.
 
• The bottom portion of PSAC West standings is right on Slippery Rock's heels. Clarion is in fifth place, one game behind SRU at 5-5 while Edinboro and Pitt-Johnstown are not far off as the duo are tied for sixth place with identical 4-6 conference records. 
 
• The top six teams in the Western Division standings at the end of the regular season qualify for the PSAC Tournament. The top two teams in the standings earn first-round byes and a home game in the quarterfinal round while the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds earn home games in the first round.
 
• Slippery Rock has qualified for the PSAC Tournament in eight of the last nine years.
 
SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 13-5
• PSAC Record: 6-4
• PSAC West Standings: 5th
• Home Record: 8-2
• Away Record: 5-3
• Streak: L2
• Last 5 Games: 2-3
• Head Coach: Ian Grady | Eighth season (112-81)
 
SETON HILL RECAP (Box Score)
Slippery Rock lost on the road Jan. 17 at Seton Hill, 88-62. SRU was led by Kerwin Prince (17 points, eight rebounds, two steals), Brady Mayo (13 points, two steals) and Isaac James (10 points, seven rebounds).
 
Slippery Rock trimmed its halftime deficit down to one point early in the second half, but had its rally stopped by the Griffins, who used a 16-0 run in the middle portions of the second half to put the game out of reach.
 
SRU shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) from the field overall, 20 percent (4-of-20) from 3-point range and 58.8 percent (10-of-17) at the foul line.
 
Seton Hill earned its win by hitting 48.5 percent (32-of-66) of its field goal attempts including a 10-for-26 effort from 3-point territory (.385). The Griffins also mad 14-of-16 foul shots (.875), held a +4 rebounding margin (39-35) and scored 17 points off 14 Rock turnovers.
 
BOUNCE-BACK GAME ON DECK?
Blowout losses happen very rarely to Slippery Rock under head coach Ian Grady. Since taking over the program in 2018, Grady-led teams have lost by 25 or more points in the regular season just 10 times in 186 games with the most recent being the 26-point decision last week at Seton Hill. Historically speaking, the sizable setbacks have done little to deter SRU as The Rock have gone 8-1 in the first game following such losses.

IMPORTANCE OF SECOND CHANCES
Slippery Rock has logged double-digit second chance point totals in 14 of 18 games this season. SRU is currently averaging 13.7 second chance points per game this season, well up from its 2024-25 average of 11.7.
 
It's of no coincidence that four of The Rock's six worst second chance point totals in a single-game this season have resulted in losses. SRU is 10-2 when earning 11 or more second chance points in a game, but just 3-3 when closing a contest with 10 or less.
 
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MISTAKES
Through 18 games, SRU is scoring 16.1 points off turnovers per game, which if maintained through the end of the season would represent SRU's third highest such average over the last 12 years. SRU will have to make the most of its chances for points off turnovers as the Vulcans rank third in the PSAC in turnovers per game (11.9).
 
SRU's Highest Points Off Turnover Averages (Last 12 Years)
1. 2018-19: 17.8
2. 2024-25: 16.8
3. 2025-26: 16.1
4. 2021-22: 15.9
5. 2019-20: 15.1
6. 2022-23: 14.5
7. 2014-15: 13.1
8. 2017-18: 12.9
9. 2023-24: 11.4
10. 2015-16: 11.3
11. 2016-17: 10.3
12. 2020-21: No Season
 
BOARD BATTLE
Slippery Rock is 12-1 in 2025-26 when holding a positive rebounding margin. SRU enters the weekend ranked fourth in the PSAC in both rebounding (39.3) and rebounding margin (+5.3). An interesting matchup to watch Saturday is when SRU misses as The Rock ranks fifth in the PSAC in offensive rebounding (13.7) while California leads the PSAC in defensive rebounding.
 
KEEP IT UNDER 80
Slippery Rock is a perfect 12-0 in 2025-26 when holding opponents to under 80 points, but just 1-5 in high-scoring (80+) contests.

EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SCORING INSIDE
Slippery Rock forwards Isaac James and Kerwin Prince have both been in the starting lineup in each of SRU's last three games.
 
The duo has been ultra efficient in their shooting over those three games as evidenced by a collective .705 (31-for-44) 2-point field goal percentage with James going 17-for-23 (.739) inside the perimeter over that time and Prince converting 14-of-21 (.667) attempts.
 
In addition to their combined shooting prowess, Prince and James have also combined 43 rebounds in the previous three games – 44.3 percent of The Rock's total boards (43/97).

BEAT THEM WITH THE 3
While the Vulcans enter Morrow Field House ranked first in the PSAC in overall field goal percentage defense (.415) and defensive rebounding (29.41 drpg) as well as fourth in points allowed (73.1), California has allowed opponents to shoot 34.9 percent from 3-point range on the year – the 16th highest percentage in the 17-team PSAC.
 
In its five losses this season, California has surrendered 8.6 3-pointers per game on a 35.5 percent clip (43-121). The Vulcans' most recent loss at Clarion saw the Golden Eagles capitalize from distance with a 12-for-28 (.429) showing in the upset win.
 
SRU ranks seventh in the PSAC on the year in 3-point shooting percentage (.345) and 11th in made 3-pointers per game (6.5). Slippery Rock has four athletes that have made at least 19 3-pointers this season in Dame Givner (30 / .385), RJ Sledge (21 / .368), Ike Herster (19 / .373) and Brady Mayo (19 / .260).

BETTER WITH THEM PLAYING (+/- LEADERS)
Slippery Rock's rotation features four athletes that hold a +/- (the measure of SRU's point differential over the course of a season while a player is on the court) of at least +70 this year.
 
SRU +/- Leaders:
Total (per game)
1. Ike Herster: +88 (+6.3)
2. Isaac James: +82 (+4.6)
3. Dame Givner: +80 (+4.4)
4. Sheick Samoura: +73 (+4.3)

ROCK ROTATION
• The only Rock athlete to have started all 18 games this season, freshman guard Dame Givner has recorded per game averages of 16.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 44.5 percent overall, 38.5 from 3-point range and 79.3 percent at the foul line.
 
• Givner enters the weekend ranked ninth in the PSAC in free throw percentage, 12th in 3-point accuracy, 13th in scoring, 17th in steals, 18th in assists, 19th in field goal percentage and 24th in assist-turnover ratio (1.1).
 
• The other half of The Rock's starting backcourt of over the last seven games has been fellow freshman RJ Sledge. Sledge is second for SRU in steals (25) in addition to providing SRU with 7.5 points, 2.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds a night.
 
• Sledge has compiled at least one steal in nine of the last 10 games and following a four-assist, one-turnover game at Seton Hill now ranks 11th in the PSAC assist-turnover ratio (1.6).
 
• One of Slippery Rock's two primary post options, Isaac James is a 10.8 points per game scorer, who is also good for 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists a contes. He shoots 51.9 percent from the field.
 
• The other half of SRU's interior presence, Kerwin Prince is beginning to establish himself as one of the top traditional forwards in the PSAC at 9.2 points,, 7.7 rebounds and just under one steal per game all the while shooting 60.8 percent from the field overall.
 
• Ike Herster, Slippery Rock's second-leading scorer at 12.3 points per game, shoots 43.7 percent overall, 37.3 percent from 3-point range and 84.3 percent at the foul line. He has scored 10 or more points in 56 of his 72 career appearances at SRU (12 / 14 in 2025-26).
 
• Brady Mayo, another of The Rock's talented freshmen class, registered his highest scoring output in the month of January at Seton Hill with 13 points. Always a threat to get hot from deep, Mayo has made 3-of-7 3-point attempts over the last two games. On the year, he averages 9.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
 
• The PSAC's second-leading shot blocker, Sheick Samoura enters the California game averaging 7.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game over 17 appearances.
 
• A bright spot from the Seton Hill loss came from freshman guard Braylon Littlejohn, who played a near season-high 22 minutes while producing seven points, one rebound and one assist.
 
• Rounding out The Rock's talented stable of athletes is Maceo Austin (15.5 ppg, 3.5 spg, 3.0 apg, 77.8 FG%), Elijah Hill (10.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Mack Staunch (1.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg) and Enire Bowens (1.5 rpg).
 
HERSTER CLOSING IN ON SCORING MILESTONE
Ike Herster enters the weekend needing to score five points to become the 26th athlete in program history to score 1,000 points in a Rock uniform.
 
While Herster is nearing SRU 1,000-point milestone, he's already scored 1,379 points in the totality of his college career between his time at SRU and Gannon.
 
His 995 points in a Rock uniform also represent the sixth highest point total by a transfer to come to SRU in program history. Herster also ranks seventh in program history in career 3-pointers with 116 - seven away from passing Jared Armstrong (2018-20) for sixth place.

GIVNER REMAINS AMONG D2'S BEST ROOKIE SCORERS
Despite scoring a season-low three points at Seton Hill, Dame Givner remains among ranked among the best freshmen scorers in all of Division II.  
 
Givner has scored at least 20 points on six occasions this year and enters the California game with having scored 297 points on the year on an average of 16.5 points per game.
 
Givner ranks fourth in all of Division II in total points scored by a freshman while slotting eighth in rookie points per game. Far from a one-dimensional athlete, Givner also provides SRU with 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
 
Also of note about the freshman scoring list, of the top-10 leaders in points per game Givner is one of just four athletes to be on a team with a record of at least five games above .500.
 
D2 Freshman Scoring (Total Points)
1. Lazerek Houston (Central Missouri): 413
2. Brogan Madson (Sioux Falls): 325
3. Will Fowler (Converse): 313
4. Dame Givner (SRU): 297
5. Rashawn Inglemon (Anderson): 293
 
D2 Freshman Points Per Game
Athlete (Team, Record): PPG
1. Will Fowler* (Converse, 6-9): 20.9
2. Lazerek Houston (Central Missouri, 15-6): 20.7
3. Carter Bobbitt* (North Greenville, 10-8): 18.7
4. Brogan Madson (Sioux Falls, 10-8): 18.1
5. Ayden Goll* (Wheeling, 11-5): 17.7
6. Rashawn Inglemon (Anderson, 16-1): 17.2
7. Danny Delgardo III (Fort Valley, 7-7): 16.9
t8. Dame Givner (SRU, 13-5): 16.5
t8. Rowan Carmichael (Edinboro, 8-9): 16.5
10. KeShaun Thomas (Drury, 8-9): 16.0
*Redshirt Freshman
 
Inside the program, Givner's 297 points already represent the sixth-highest point total scored by a freshman in Slippery Rock history. He is 32 points away from taking fifth place on the list from Troy Mild (1980-81).
 
GET A LEAD, KEEP A LEAD
Slippery Rock is a perfect 13-0 in 2025-26 when holding a lead or being tied at halftime, but 0-5 when trailing after 20 minutes.
 
TOUGH TO BEAT AT HOME
Since 2008-09, SRU is an outstanding 184-60 (.754) at Morrow Field House. SRU has now recorded a winning record at Morrow Field House for 14 of the last 15 seasons. Across the PSAC, SRU ranks fourth in both home winning percentage and in total home wins since 2008-09. The Rock are 8-2 at home this year.

MIX, MATCH, WIN
SRU has used nine different starting lineup combinations this year. Of the nine groupings, only two of the sets of starters has a losing record.
 
HOW THE ROCK COMPARES (PSAC TEAM RANKINGS)
• Scoring: 10th (80.7)
• Points Allowed Per Game: 9th (75.5)
• Scoring Margin: 9th (+5.2)
• Field Goal %: 7th (.476)
• Opponent Field Goal %: 4th (.430)
• 3pt-Field Goal %: 7th (.345)
• Opponent 3pt-Field Goal %: 2nd (.280)
• 3pt Made Per Game: 11th (6.5)
• Free Throw %: 10th (.701)
• Free Throws Made Per Game: 4th (16.4)
• Rebounds Per Game: 4th (39.3)
• Rebounding Margin: 4th (+5.3)
• Turnovers Per Game: 16th (16.4)
• Opponent Turnovers Per Game: 7th (14.4)
• Turnover Margin: 13th (-2.0)
• Steals Per Game: 9th (8.2)
• Blocks Per Game: 15th (2.2)
 
ROCK AMONG PSAC'S BEST (INDIVIDUAL LEADERS)
Sheick Samoura
• Total Blocks: (2nd / 21)
• Blocks Per Game: (3rd / 1.3)
 
Brady Mayo
• FT %: (4th / .845)
 
Ike Herster
• FT %: (5th / .843)
 
Dame Givner
• FT %: (9th / .793)
• 3PT %: (12th / .385)
• Scoring: (13th / 16.5)
• Steals: (17th / 1.5)
• Assists: (18th / 3.2)
• FG %: (19th / .445)
• Assist-Turnover Ratio: (24th / 1.1)
 
RJ Sledge
• Assist-Turnover Ratio: (11th / 1.6)
• Steals: (17th / 1.5)
• Assists: (25th / 2.9)
 
Isaac James
• Total Rebounding: (12th / 6.6)
• Offensive Rebounding: (13th / 2.1)
 
RECORD WATCH
Made 3-Pointers (3-7)
3-Mark Metzka (100 Games, 1991-95): 182
4-William Johnson (73 Games, 2002-05): 139
5-Michael Evans Jr. (52 Games, 2008-10): 130
6-Jared Armstrong (50 Games, 2018-20): 124
7-Ike Herster (72 Games, 2023-Active): 116
 
Points By a Transfer at SRU (5-12)
4-Devin Taylor (LaRoche / 2010-13): 1,143
5-Troy Miller (Cleveland State / 1991-94): 1,139
6-Ike Herster (Gannon / 2023-Active): 995
7-Tabari Perry (Cecil / 2014-14): 956
8-Paul Gilbert (Alvernia / 1994-97): 888
9-Jabril Bailey (Campbell / 2009-11): 878
10-Louie Moore (Eastern Kentucky / 1997-00): 863
11-Doug Zimmerman (Penn State Behrend / 1970-72): 860
t12-Maceo Austin (Duquesne / 2023-Active): 807
t12-Rob Wilson (Ohio Valley Business College / 1989-91): 807
 
Points By a Freshman at SRU
1. Myron Brown (1987-88): 516
2. Ian Folmar (1996-97): 418
3. Herm Willis (1983-84): 345
4. Jamar Scales (2005-06): 334
5. Troy Mild (1980-81): 328
6. Dame Givner (2025-26): 297
 
Blocks (10-14)
t10-Devin Taylor (86 Games, 2010-13): 73
t10-Luiz Santos (58 Games, 2011-13): 73
12-James Richardson (52 Games, 1998-00): 69
13-Sheick Samoura (70 Games, 2023-Active): 63
14-Jamal Gatali (54 Games, 2014-16): 62
 
Steals (12-17)
12-Joe Vines (111 Games, 2005-11): 108
13-Louie Moore (77 Games, 1998-00, 01-03): 106
14-Dave Johnson (77 Games, 2001-04): 102
t15-Glenn Reepmeyer (104 Games, 2002-07): 98
t15-Lashon Lindsey (116 Games, 1994-97): 98
17-Maceo Austin (48 Games, 2023-Active): 96
 
NEXT FIVE GAMES
Jan. 28 (7:30 p.m.) at Edinboro
Jan. 31 (3 p.m.) vs. Gannon
Feb. 7 (3:30 p.m.) vs. Pitt-Johnstown
Feb. 11 (7:30 p.m.) vs. Clarion
Feb. 14 (3 p.m.) at Indiana (Pa.)
 
CALIFORNIA PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 12-5
• PSAC Record: 9-1
• PSAC West Standings: t-1st
• Home Record: 8-1
• Away Record: 4-3
• Neutral Site Record: 0-1
• Streak: W1
• Last 5 Games: 4-1
• Head Coach: Danny Sancomb | Eighth year at Cal (124-76) / 18th overall (340-191)
 
SCOUTING THE VULCANS
• After losing four of its first five games to open the season, California has found its stride with 11 wins in its last 12 games. The Vulcans' lone loss since Thanksgiving came on the road Jan. 14 at Clarion, 81-75.
 
• In its most recent win at Edinboro, California overcame a one-point deficit with under a minute to play by scoring six unanswered points and holding the Fighting Scots scoreless for the final 44 seconds of regulation for the 82-77 win.
 
• As is the case with most Danny Sancomb coached teams, this year's Vulcans rely on its starting lineup of to play heavy minutes as Jordyn Buchanan (35.9), Bryson Lucas (34.3), Brayden Reynolds (33.3) and Antoine Arnett (33.1) all play over 33 minutes per game.
 
• The quartet of Arnett (18.1), Buchanan (16.8), Lucas (15.8) and Reynolds (12.1) account for nearly 80 percent of the Vulcans' per game offensive production.
 
• One of the PSAC's best all-around talents, Lucas also provides California with 9.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field.
 
• While the Vulcans rank in the middle of the PSAC in scoring at 81.6 points per game, they are one of the most efficient teams in the nation with Division II's 11th highest field goal percentage (.504). California's 11.9 turnovers per game is the third lowest average in the PSAC.
 
• Cal is fourth in the PSAC in points allowed (73.1). While Cal is first in the PSAC field percentage defense it has been susceptible the 3-pointer, ranking 16th in the PSAC in 3-point percentage defense (.349).
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock returns to the road for a 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 contest at Edinboro before returning home for a three-game homestand.
 




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