SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team will complete a brief two-game road swing when it heads to Pitt-Johnstown 3 p.m. Saturday.
 
TICKETS
Tickets for Saturday's game can be purchased in advanced HERE.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Video and in-game statistics will be provided free of charge by the Pitt-Johnstown athletic department at the below links.
 
GAME 16 DETAILS
Opponent: Pitt-Johnstown
Date: Saturday – 3 p.m.
Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Venue: The Sports Center
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
Tickets: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
 
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Pitt-Johnstown leads 41-26
Current Streak: SRU W4
At Pitt-Johnstown: UPJ leads 29-5
First Meeting: Dec. 7, 1972 (SRU won 90-67)
Last Meeting: Feb. 15, 2025 (SRU won 84-64)
Most Points, SRU: 122 - Dec. 5, 1990
Most Points, UPJ: 132 – Feb. 27, 1995
Largest Victory, SRU: 61 (122-61), Dec. 5, 1990
Largest Victory, UPJ: 39 (101-62), Feb 7, 1998
SRU coach Ian Grady vs. Pitt-Johnstown: 7-7
UPJ coach Bob Rukavina vs. SRU: 29-19
 
While the Mountain Cats hold a 41-26 all-time record against SRU it has been The Rock that has controlled the series of late with five wins in the last six meetings including back-to-back season sweeps of Pitt-Johnstown. Historically speaking, playing at UPJ has been rough sledding for The Rock as SRU is 5-29 in true away games versus Pitt-Johnstown and 5-27 since the Sports Center's opening in 1977.
 
Top Rock Performers vs. UPJ
Maceo Austin: 19.0 Points, 6.8 Rebounds, 3.0 Steals (4 GP)
Ike Herster: 8.5 Points, 3.4 Rebounds (4 GP)

RECORDS + LAST TIME OUT
• Slippery Rock heads to Pitt-Johnstown fresh off a 78-71 victory Wednesday at Clarion which improved The Rock's record to 12-3 overall and 5-2 inside the PSAC.
 
• Pitt-Johnstown will be looking to snap a season-long three-game losing streak Saturday following an 80-70 loss at IUP that dropped the Mountain Cats' record to 9-6 overall and 3-4 in league games.
 
SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 12-3
• PSAC Record: 5-2
• PSAC West Standings: 5th
• Home Record: 8-1
• Away Record: 4-2
• Streak: W1
• Last 5 Games: 3-2
• Head Coach: Ian Grady | Eighth season (111-79)

CLARION RECAP (Box Score)
Slippery Rock continued its winning ways with a 78-71 road victory Wednesday at Clarion. In what was a tight game for the first 30 minutes, Slippery Rock pulled away down the stretch as it did not trail for the final 10 minutes of regulation.
 
Dame Givner (24) and Sheick Samoura (16) combined for 40 points in the win, while the forward duo of Isaac James (9 points / 10 rebounds) and Kerwin Prince (7 points / 8 rebounds) both nearly posted double-doubles.
 
The Rock shot 51.7 percent from the field overall (31-of-60). SRU also shot a solid 36.8 percent (7-for-19) from 3-point territory while overcoming a 9-for-19 (.474) showing at the foul line.

KEEPING PACE WITH SRU'S BEST
A victory over Pitt-Johnstown would push The Rock's record to 13-3 and tie this year's team for the third-best record through 16 games in program history. The top two 16-game starts to a season came well before the modern era in 1923-24 (15-1) and 1945-46 (14-2). To date, there have been eight 13-3 records by Rock teams in their first 16 games - with the most recent coming in 2017-18.
 
Best Record Through 16 Games at SRU
1. 1923-24: 15-1
2. 1945-46: 14-2
t3. 2017-18: 13-3
t3. 2012-13: 13-3
t3. 1989-90: 13-3
t3. 1972-73: 13-3
t3. 1963-64: 13-3
t3. 1952-53: 13-3
t3. 1939-40: 13-3
t3. 1922-23: 13-3

DOMINANT REBOUNDING
One of the keys to Slippery Rock's win at Clarion was its dominant showing on the glass. SRU closed out the win with 46 rebounds, 21 of which were offensive, and a +20 (46-26) rebounding margin.
 
The marks were season-bests for The Rock in both offensive rebounds and rebounding margin while the 46 total rebounds represented SRU's fourth-highest total this year.
 
Making The Rock's offensive rebounding total even more impressive is the fact that SRU shot 51.7 percent (31-of-60) overall. 19 of SRU's 29 missed field goal attempts were rebounded by The Rock, with the other two offensive boards coming off foul shots.
 
The stout rebounding night was a group effort. Isaac James led the way with 10 rebounds followed by Sheick Samoura (8), Kerwin Prince (8) and Dame Ginver (6).
 
Top Offensive Rebounding Games
1. 21 – at Clarion (W)
2. 20 – vs. West Virginia Wesleyan (W)
3. 18 – vs. Davis & Elkins (W)
t4. 16 – vs. East Stroudsburg (L)
t4. 16 – vs. Lincoln (W)
 
Top Rebounding Margin Games
1. +20 – at Clarion (W)
2. +17 – vs. West Virginia Wesleyan (W)
3. +15 – vs. Wheeling (W)
4. + 14 – at D'Youville (W)
5. +12 – at Mansfield (W)
 
Top Overall Rebounding Games
1. 50 – vs. Davis & Elkins (W)
2. 48 – vs. West Virginia Wesleyan (W)
3. 47 – vs. Wheeling (W)
4. 46 – at Clarion (W)
t5. 45 – at D'Youville (W)
t5. 45 – at Mansfield (W)

WHO SAYS THERE'S NO SECOND CHANCES IN LIFE?
The Rock's season-high 21 offensive rebounds at Clarion resulted in a season-best 27 second chance points.
 
The last time SRU had more than 27 second chance points in a game came against Penn State Fayette (28) on Nov. 17, 2021. You must go back to the 2017-18 season for the last time SRU had more than 27 second chance points against a fellow Division II team – 28 as part of a 72-61 win against Gannon (Jan. 24, 2018).
 
SRU is currently averaging 14.3 second chance points per game this season, well up from its 2024-25 average of 11.7.

SHOOTING THE LIGHTS OUT
The Rock produced their second-best overall shooting performance of the season in the Clarion win at 51.7 percent (31-of-60). SRU has shot 50 percent or better six times this season, all of which coming in wins.
 
1. West Virginia Wesleyan (W) - .595
2. Clarion (W) - .517
3. D'Youville (W) - .515
t4. Wheeling (W) - .500
t4. Glenville State (W) - .500
t4. Lake Erie (W) - .500

STARTING PSAC WEST PLAY STRONG
A victory over Pitt-Johnstown would give SRU two consecutive wins to start the PSAC West portion of its schedule for the second time in the last three years.

NO EASY 3'S
Opponents have had a rough time converting its 3-pointers against The Rock this season. Entering Saturday, SRU ranks sixth in the nation, and first in the PSAC, in 3-point percentage defense at .264.
 
Only four opponents have shot over 30 percent from 3-point territory against SRU this season: Clarion (.435 / 10-23), Lock Haven (.333 / 6-18), Fairmont State (.318 / 7-22) and Glenville State (.314 / 11-35). While Clarion shot 43.5 percent from long range Wednesday against SRU, the Golden Eagles missed nine of their final 12 3-point attempts.
 
Despite being about the furthest thing from a 3-point reliant team there can be, Pitt-Johnstown does have three athletes shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc in Jay Rose (.406 / 26-64), Vinnie Cugini (.405 / 15-37) and Will Kromka (.412 / 14-34).

GIVNER AMONG D2'S BEST ROOKIE SCORERS
After pouring in 24 points against Clarion, Dame Givner has now scored 251 points as a freshman while increasing his scoring average to 16.7 points per game.
 
Givner ranks second in all of Division II in total points scored by a freshman while slotting ninth in rookie points per game. Far from a one-dimensional athlete, Givner also provides SRU with 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 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 three 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): 335
2. Dame Givner (SRU): 251
3. Will Fowler (Converse): 250
4. Brogan Madson (Sioux Falls): 240
5. Rowan Carmichael (Edinboro): 239
 
D2 Freshman Points Per Game
Athlete (Team, Record): PPG
1. Will Fowler (Converse, 5-7): 20.8
2. Lazerek Houston (Central Missouri, 13-4): 19.7
3. Carter Bobbitt (North Greenville, 7-6): 18.9
4. Rowan Carmichael (Edinboro, 7-6): 18.4
5. Danny Delgardo III (Fort Valley, 6-4): 18.1
6. Ayden Goll (Wheeling, 8-4): 17.5
7. Brogan Madson (Sioux Falls, 6-8): 17.1
8. Rashawn Inglemon (Anderson, 13-0): 16.9
9. Dame Givner (SRU, 12-3): 16.7
10. KeShaun Thomas (Drury, 6-7): 16.4
 
Inside the program, Givner's 251 points already represent the 10th-highest point total scored by a freshman in Slippery Rock history.
 
If Givner were to match his current average against Pitt-Johnstown he would pass both Kevin Jones (1987-88) and Jomo Goings (2022-23 R-Fr.) and move up to eighth on the list. Rock legend Myron Brown currently holds the program's freshman scoring record with 516 points in 1987-88.
 
SAMOURA ON A HEATER
Sheick Samoura is in the midst of one of best string of scoring performances in his collegiate career. Over the last three games, Samoura has averaged 17.7 points per game after going for 19 points versus Bloomsburg, 18 against East Stroudsburg and 16 Wednesday at Clarion.
 
The hot streak represents three of the top six single-game scoring totals in Samoura's three-year Rock career.
 
In addition to providing SRU with much-needed offense, Samoura has also blocked four shots over the run to move into a tie for 13th place in program history for career rejections alongside Jamal Gatali (2014-16) at 62.

SLEDGE PILING UP TAKEAWAYS
Since being inserted into the starting lineup four games ago, freshman guard RJ Sledge has racked up nine steals, including seven in his last two outings. The run has pushed Sledge into a tie for 18th in the PSAC in steals per game (1.5). Offensively, Sledge has distributed 17 assists as a starter – a rate of 4.3 per game which is up from his season average of 2.7.

MORE HIGH-LEVEL REBOUNDING BY PRINCE
As has been the case in nearly all his outings to date, Kerwin Prince was once again one of the top rebounders on the court at Clarion, pulling in eight boards to go with seven points and two steals.
 
In his nine games played, Prince has logged one of the top three rebounding totals of any player (SRU and its opponents combined) seven times. He has also tallied five steals in the last two contests.

While not eligible for the PSAC leaderboard yet due to percentage of games played, Prince is on pace to be eighth in total rebounding and fifth in offensive rebounding if he maintains his current averages.

BOUNCE-BACK GAME FOR JAMES
Isaac James returned to form against Clarion with nine points on 4-of-7 shooting to go with a season-high matching 10 rebounds. The performance served as a get-right game for James, who scored just 14 total points on 20.7 percent shooting (6-29) and averaged 4.3 rebounds over the previous four-games.
 
In addition to being tied for second on the team in scoring (10.3 ppg), James also leads SRU in rebounding (6.5) while shooting a sound 48.5 percent from the field over the course of the year.

GET A LEAD, KEEP A LEAD
Slippery Rock is a perfect 12-0 in 2025-26 when holding a lead or being tied at halftime.
 
WIN THE GLASS, WIN THE GAME
Slippery Rock is 11-1 in 2025-26 when holding a positive rebounding margin, but just 1-2 when losing the battle of the boards. SRU enters the UPJ game ranked third in the PSAC in both rebounding (40.7) and rebounding margin (+6.8).

THE ROCK ROTATION
• Arguably an overwhelming favorite to capture PSAC West Freshman of the Year honors presently, Dame Givner has been great for SRU as a rookie. Over his 29.9 minutes per game, Givner has produced averages of 16.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 44.5 percent overall, 37.3 percent from 3-point range and 80.8 percent at the foul line.
 
• In his first year of official competition, Elijah Hill has provided The Rock with 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. An efficient scorer inside, Hill is tied for second on SRU in ppg while shooting 65.6 percent.
 
• Sheick Samoura enters the weekend fresh off three of the top offensive performances of his collegiate career. The redshirt junior is averaging 7.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
 
• The Rock's primary traditional forwards are Isaac James and Kerwin Prince. James has started all but one game this year on the way to going for 10.3 points per game on 48.5 percent shooting while grabbing 6.5 rebounds and distributing 2.3 assists per game.
 
• Prince meanwhile is beginning to establish himself as a force inside for SRU with 8.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. A 59.6 percent shooter, Prince has brought in a minimum of seven rebounds in each of his last seven appearances with three double-digit point totals included during the run.
 
• Another of The Rock's talented freshmen class, guard RJ Sledge has made four consecutive starts. In addition to scoring 8.1 points per game and distributing 2.7 assists a night, Sledge has also come up with 1.5 steals per game.
 
• Much like the rest of his classmates, freshman guard Brady Mayo has also provided Slippery Rock with quality minutes during his rookie year. He has started 11 of 15 games while playing 23.9 minutes per game. Mayo does a bit of everything for The Rock, averaging 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
 
• A starter in 11 of his 12 games played, Ike Herster is a proven collegiate scorer with 1,357 points between his time at The Rock (973) and Gannon (384). This season, Herster has scored at least 10 points in every game he has played more than five minutes in while shooting 43.5 percent overall, 39 percent from 3-point territory and 85.1 percent at the foul line.
 
• The Rock also rotates in the interior platoon of redshirt juniors Mack Staunch (15 GP, 2.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and Enire Bowens (11 GP, 1.3 rpg). 17 of Staunch's 27 rebounds in 2025-26 have come on the offensive glass – the fifth highest total for SRU.
 
• Redshirt junior guard Alex Griggs made his season debut last weekend and has played in three straight games. He has totaled two rebounds, two steals and one block over 25 minutes.
 
HOW THE ROCK COMPARES (PSAC TEAM RANKINGS)
• Scoring: 9th (82.3)
• Points Allowed Per Game: 5th (74.3)
• Scoring Margin: 7th (+8.0)
• Field Goal %: 8th (.475)
• Opponent Field Goal %: 2nd (.421)
• 3pt-Field Goal %: 6th (.349)
• Opponent 3pt-Field Goal %: 1st (.264)
• 3pt Made Per Game: 11th (6.4)
• Free Throw %: 4th (.714)
• Free Throws Made Per Game: 3rd (17.7)
• Rebounds Per Game: 3rd (40.7)
• Rebounding Margin: 3rd (+6.8)
• Turnovers Per Game: 15th (17.0)
• Opponent Turnovers Per Game: 7th (15.1)
• Turnover Margin: 13th (-1.9)
• Steals Per Game: 9th (8.3)
• Blocks Per Game: 15th (2.3)
 
ROCK AMONG PSAC'S BEST (INDIVIDUAL LEADERS)
Sheick Samoura
• Total Blocks: (2nd / 20)
• Blocks Per Game: (3rd / 1.3)

Brady Mayo
• FT %: (3rd / .860)
 
Dame Givner
• FT %: (8th / .808)
• Scoring: (11th / 16.7)
• Steals: (18th / 1.5)
• Assists: (20th / 2.9)
• FG %: (21st / .445)
• Assist-Turnover Ratio: (22nd / 0.9)
 
Ike Herster
• FT %: (5th / .851)
 
Elijah Hill
• Offensive Rebounding: (7th / 2.7)
• Total Rebounding: (19th / 6.1)
 
Isaac James
• Total Rebounding: (14th / 6.5)
• Offensive Rebounding: (14th / 2.1)
 
RJ Sledge
• Steals: (18th / 1.5)
 
RECORD WATCH
Made 3-Pointers (6-10)
6-Jared Armstrong (50 Games, 2018-20): 124
7-Dan Heiman (69 Games, 1991-94): 115
8-Maurice Douglas (52 Games, 2008-10): 114
9-Ike Herster (70 Games, 2023-Active): 113
10-Amante Britt (115 Games, 2018-23): 112
 
Points By a Transfer at SRU (5-14)
5-Troy Miller (Cleveland State / 1991-94): 1,139
6-Ike Herster (Gannon / 2023-Active): 973
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
12-Rob Wilson (Ohio Valley Business College / 1989-91): 807
13-James Richardson (Lenoir CC / 1998-99): 797
14-Maceo Austin (Duquesne / 2023-Active): 791
 
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. Matt Hale (2005-06): 284
7. Dennis Greene (1991-92): 281
8. Jomo Goings (2022-23 R-Fr.): 266
9. Kevin Jones (1987-88): 257
10. Dame Givner (2025-26): 251
 
Blocks (10-13)
t10-Devin Taylor (86 Games, 2010-13): 73
t10-Luiz Santos (58 Games, 2011-13): 73
12-James Richardson (52 Games, 1998-00): 69
t13-Sheick Samoura (66 Games, 2023-Active): 62
t13-Jamal Gatali (54 Games, 2014-16): 62
 
Steals (14-19)
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 (47 Games, 2023-Active): 94
18-Mark Metzka (100 Games, 1991-95): 91
19-Dave Freeman (103 Games, 1998-00, 01-03): 90
 
NEXT FIVE GAMES
Jan. 14 (7:30 p.m.) vs. Indiana (Pa.)
Jan. 17 (3 p.m.) at Seton Hill
Jan. 24 (3 p.m.) vs. California (Pa.)
Jan. 28 (7:30 p.m.) at Edinboro
Jan. 31 (3 p.m.) vs. Gannon
 
PITT-JOHNSTOWN PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 9-6
• PSAC Record: 3-4
• PSAC West Standings: 7th
• Home Record: 5-2
• Away Record: 3-2
• Neutral Site Record: 1-2
• Streak: L3
• Last 5 Games: 2-3
• Head Coach: Bob Rukavina | 36th season (574-417)

SCOUTING UPJ
• Since starting the season with nine wins in its first 12 games, Pitt-Johnstown has lost three straight inside the PSAC to Millersville (87-68), Shepherd (66-62) and Wednesday at IUP (80-70).
 
• While Pitt-Johnstown ranks in the middle of the PSAC in scoring production (7th / 83.0 ppg), the Mountain Cats get their points by being one of the most efficient teams in the nation. Entering the weekend, UPJ ranks third in the country in field goal percentage (.522).
 
• Bucking the trend of the current state of most basketball philosophies, the Mountain Cats work virtually exclusively inside the 3-point line. Pitt-Johnstown has attempted just 15.1 3-pointers per game in its first 15 contests of 2025-26, the seventh fewest attempts in all of Division II.
 
• Defensively, the Mountain Cats yield 75.1 points per game, which ranks seventh inside the PSAC. UPJ also ranks third in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.295) and fourth in steals (9.5).
 
• Individually, UPJ is paced by the duo of Baden Forup and Jay Rose.
 
• Forup, a 6-for-8-inch junior forward who is second in the PSAC in rebounding, averages a double-double of 17.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while shooting 61.1 percent from the floor.
 
• Rose scores 16.7 points per game and serves as Pitt-Johnstown's primary 3-point threat, having converted 26-of-64 attempts (.406) from long range. Rose has accounted for 33.3 percent of UPJ's made 3-pointers this season.
 
• Vinnie Cugini (12.9) and Adam Bilinsky (10.1) are Pitt-Johnstown's other leading scorers. Cedric Rault guides the offense at 4.0 assists per game. Bilinsky also ranks second in the PSAC in steals (2.33).
 
• Forup averaged 18.0 points and 5.0 rebounds while Rose went for 17.0 points and 4.0 assists in two games against SRU a year ago.
 
MOUNTAIN CAT LEADERS (Per Game)
SCORING: Baden Forup (17.3), Jay Rose (16.7)
FG%: Forup (.611 / 116-190)
3PT%: Rose (.406 / 26-64)
ASSISTS: Cedric Rault (4.0)
REBOUNDS: Forup (10.1)
STEALS: Adam Bilinsky (2.3)
BLOCKS: Forup (0.6)
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock returns home to host Indiana University (Pa.) 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Morrow Field House. The Rock took both games from the Crimson Hawks during the regular season last year only for IUP to eliminate SRU from the postseason with a two-point PSAC Tournament victory at Slippery Rock.
 





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