SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - With five games remaining in the regular season, the Slippery Rock University men's basketball team looks to continue its push towards earning a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament berth when it heads to Indiana University (Pa.) 3 p.m. Saturday.  
 
TICKETS
Tickets for Saturday's game may be purchased in advance HERE.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Video and in-game statistics for Saturday's game are being provided free of charge by the IUP athletic communications office at the below links.
 
GAME 24 DETAILS
Opponent: IUP
Date: Saturday – 3 p.m.
Location: Indiana, Pennsylvania
Venue: KCAC
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
Tickets: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
 
SERIES HISTORY vs. INDIANA
Overall: IUP leads 119-82
Current Streak: IUP W2
At IUP: IUP leads 70-29
First Meeting: 1915-16 (Slippery Rock won 30-28)
Last Meeting: Jan 14, 2026 (IUP won 89-73)
Most Points, SRU: 105 - Feb. 6, 1991 and Feb. 27, 1991
Most Points, IUP: 130 - Jan. 18, 1995
Largest Victory, SRU: 52 (77-25), Jan. 12, 1946
Largest Victory, IUP: 48 (130-82), Jan. 18, 1995
 
The Rock and Crimson Hawks have split the last four games in the series with SRU taking the regular season series last year followed by IUP eliminating Slippery Rock from the 2025 PSAC Tournament (69-67) and earning an 89-73 victory at Morrow Field House in the first meeting this season. Slippery Rock's win at IUP last season was its first in Indiana County since 1992.
 
Top Rock Performers vs. IUP
• Isaac James: 18 Points, 7 Rebounds, 1 Block (1 GP)
• Dame Givner: 15 Points, 8 Assists, 1 Steal (1 GP)
• RJ Sledge: 9 Points, 3 Assists, 1 Steal (1 GP)
• Sheick Samoura: 8.2 Points (5 GP)
• Maceo Austin: 15.0 Points, 9.0 Rebounds, 3.5 Assists, 1.5 Steals (2 GP)
• Ike Herster: 13.8 Points (5 GP)
 
LAST MEETING (Box Score)
Slippery Rock dropped an 89-73 decision to Indiana (Pa.) in PSAC West competition Jan. 14 at Morrow Field House.
 
Collectively, Slippery Rock shot 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the field overall, 38.5 percent (10-of-26) from 3-point range and 68.2 percent (15-of-22) at the foul line. The Rock's 10 made 3-pointers matched their season-high.
 
Indiana connected on 46.9 percent (30-of-64) of its field goal attempts including a 7-for-24 (.292) night from 3-point range. IUP also made the most of its free throws, hitting 22-of-27 attempts at the foul line (.815).
 
The Crimson Hawks, which held a +9 (37-28) overall rebounding margin, collected 19 offensive rebounds that were turned into 28 second chance points. IUP also scored 24 points off 14 Rock turnovers while committing just nine miscues of its own.
 
The opening portions of both the first half and second half doomed The Rock in the loss.
 
IUP jumped out to a 21-5 lead at the onset of the game before SRU clawed its way back into the game, eventually taking a brief 31-29 advantage of its own only for the Crimson Hawks to rally back for a 43-36 edge into the halftime break.
 
Similarly to the first half, the Crimson Hawks also controlled the opening seven minutes of the second half by stretching its lead back out to 15 points at 62-47 with 13:23 left in regulation. Slippery Rock was unable to trim its deficit below double-digits through the remainder of the night in the eventual 16-point setback.

RECORDS
Slippery Rock enters the weekend at 15-8 overall and 8-7 in the PSAC while IUP welcomes The Rock at 17-4 overall and 12-3 in the PSAC.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Slippery Rock earned a dramatic 80-78 victory over Clarion at Morrow Field House, while IUP went to Pitt-Johnstown and left with an 88-82 victory.
 
PSAC WEST STANDINGS UPDATE
Seven of the 12 spots in the PSAC Tournament have been locked up entering Saturday's scheduled games.
 
• The top six teams in both the Western Division and Eastern Division standings at the end of the regular season qualify for the PSAC Tournament. The first and second seeds in the standings earn first-round byes and a home game in the quarterfinal round while the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds are guaranteed home games in the first round.
 
• Three of the six tournament bids out of the PSAC West are accounted for as Gannon (14-1), California (13-2) and IUP (12-3) are all locked in and barring momentous runs – or collapses – over the final two weeks of the season will be the top three seeds in the division.  

• Slippery Rock currently occupy sole possession of fourth place with an 8-7 league record. The Rock hold one-game advantages over the fifth-place pair of Seton Hill (7-8) and Edinboro (7-8).
 
• SRU is also two games in front of seventh-place Clarion (6-9) and three in front of eighth-place Pitt-Johnstown (5-10).  
 
• While The Rock can't clinch a tournament berth regardless of Saturday's outcomes, a victory at IUP would put SRU in prime position to make the postseason entering the final weeks in the regular season.  
 
• Slippery Rock has qualified for the PSAC Tournament in eight of the last nine years. SRU has hosted opening-round tournament games in each of the last two years.
 
• The six participants in the Eastern Division have all but been decided as West Chester, Millersville, Shepherd and East Stroudsburg have officially clinched postseason berths already with Shippensburg (7-10) and Lock Haven (5-11) both comfortably ahead of the bottom three teams in the division as well.
 
SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 15-8
• PSAC Record: 8-7
• PSAC West Standings: 4th
• Home Record: 10-4
• Away Record: 5-4
• Streak: W2
• Last 5 Games: 2-3
• Head Coach: Ian Grady | Eighth season (114-84)

CLARION RECAP (Box Score)
Slippery Rock survived a second-half scare from Clarion thanks to a Brady Mayo 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds remaining in regulation as part of an 80-78 victory over the Golden Eagles Wednesday at Morrow Field House.
 
Slippery Rock held a seemingly safe 70-49 lead with 9:25 left in the second half before Clarion scored 29 of 36 points to take a one-point (78-77) lead late in the contest before Mayo's game-winner with 4.7 seconds left in regulation.

AN ANNUAL TRADITION CONTINUED
The Rock's victory over Clarion assured SRU of finishing the year with a winning record for the 16th time in the last 17 completed seasons including each of the last seven years under head coach Ian Grady.

MAYO'S ON A HEATER
Wednesday's game-winning shot over Clarion was latest in Brady Mayo's growing stretch of great performances. His go-ahead 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation capped off a strong 15-point, four-assist, four-steal, four-rebound showing against the Golden Eagles.
 
Mayo's four steals and four assists against Clarion were both season-highs while his 15 points marked the fifth double-digit scoring effort for the freshman guard in the last six games. In those previous six games, Mayo has averaged 13.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field overall, 30.6 percent from 3-point range and a near perfect 11-of-14 (.786) at the foul line.
 
A starter in 15 of 23 games played this season, Mayo has posted averages of 10.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals through the duration of his rookie year. He is The Rock's top foul shooter in terms of percentage (.838) and his 233 points on the year represent the 15th highest total by a freshman in program history.

SHOOTERS SHOOT
SRU converted a season-best 46.7 percent (7-of-15) of its 3-point attempts as part of the Clarion win. The true freshmen trio of Brady Mayo (3-for-6), Dame Givner (2-for-3) and RJ Sledge (2-for-6) accounted for every 3-point attempt in the game.
 
As they come towards the end of their first years on campus all three of SRU's talented rookies already rank in the top 10 of made 3-pointers by a freshman at The Rock.
 
3-Pointers Made by Freshmen at SRU
1. Dennis Greene (1991-92): 54
t2. Matt Hale (2005-06): 49
t2. Shaun Grill (2002-03): 49
4. Dan Heiman (1991-92): 43
5. Dame Givner (2025-26): 36
6. Myron Brown (1987-88): 35
7. RJ Sledge (2025-26): 29
t8. Brady Mayo (2025-26): 28
t8. Jomo Goings (2022-23): 28
t8. Dylan Ahearn (2021-22): 28

ANOTHER DOUBLE-DOUBLE FROM PRINCE
Another highlight from the Clarion game was the performance from Kerwin Prince, who recorded his second consecutive double-double as part of a 17-point, 10-rebound effort in which he made 5-of-9 field goal attempts all the while converting 7-of-9 free throws.
 
A double-double against IUP would make Prince the first Rock athlete with three consecutive double-doubles since Lashon Lindsey in 2023-24.
 
On the year, Prince has started eight of 17 games played while averaging 11.3 points per game on 61.8 percent shooting to go with 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. As a starter, Prince has produced per game averages of 14.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals while shooting 63.5 percent overall.
 
If Prince plays all five remaining regular season games he will meet the PSAC's percentage of a team's games played requirement needed to enter the league's statistical rankings. If he was currently eligible, Prince would rank eighth in the PSAC in total rebounding and fourth in offensive rebounding (3.3 orpg).

GIVNER DOING IT ALL
Guard Dame Givner has played himself firmly into the PSAC West Freshman of the Year conversation.
 
The only Rock athlete to have started all 23 games this season, Givner is one of just two rookies in the PSAC West – along with Seton Hill's Rashaad Williams – to rank in the top three of the division's freshmen rankings in points (15.9), assists (3.1), steals (1.4) and rebounds (3.4).
 
Givner, who also ranks seventh among all Division II freshmen in total points with 366, has earned his impressive scoring total on shooting percentages of .439 from the field overall, .383 from 3-point range and .783 at the foul line.
 
Against Clarion, Givner went for 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
 
PSAC West Rookie Rankings
Points Per Game
1. Rowan Carmichael (Boro): 16.7
2. Dame Givner (SRU): 15.9
3. Rashaad Williams (SHU): 14.3
4. Brady Mayo (SRU): 10.1
5. Aydan Cunningham (Clar): 7.6
 
Assists Per Game
1. Cedric Rault (UPJ): 3.8
2. Rashaad Williams (SHU): 3.7
3. Dame Givner (SRU): 3.1
4. RJ Sledge (SRU): 2.9
t5. Jaden Calloway (GU): 2.1
t5. Rowan Carmichael (Boro): 2.1
 
Steals Per Game
1. Rashaad Williams (SHU): 2.0
2. Jaden Calloway (GU): 1.8
t3. Dame Givner (SRU): 1.4
t3. Cedric Rault (UPJ): 1.4
t5. RJ Sledge (SRU): 1.3
t5. Brady Mayo (SRU): 1.3
 
Rebounds Per Game
1. Dame Givner (SRU): 3.9
2. Rashaad Williams (SHU): 3.7
3. Brady Mayo (SRU): 3.2
4. Ryan Calo (UPJ): 3.1
5. Jaden Calloway (GU): 3.2

JAMES CRITICAL TO THE ROCK'S SUCCESS
Isaac James has made the most of his lone season at Slippery Rock. A starter in 22 of 23 games, the transfer from Salem University provides The Rock with 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game on 49.1 percent shooting from the field and 70.3 percent at the foul line.
 
James, who has three double-doubles on the year, has scored at least 10 points on 15 occasions.
 
When he's is rolling things typically turn out well for SRU. James has averaged 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 54.9 percent from the field. In SRU's eight losses those numbers move to 8.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.9 apg and 0.1 spg on 37.1 percent shooting.
 
SLEDGE SLOTTED AMONG BEST FRESHMEN IN THE WEST
Slippery Rock freshman guard RJ Sledge has solidified himself in SRU's starting rotation over the last 12 games as part of what's been a solid rookie year for the Imani Christian Academy product.
 
Sledge has given The Rock 7.5 points, 2.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game as a rookie in addition to possessing the No. 14 assist-turnover ratio in the PSAC (1.3). A great perimeter defender with quick hands, Sledge has produced his 31 steals thanks in part to eight multi-takeaway games in 2025-26.
 
Sledge ranks fourth in assists and fifth in steals among all PSAC West freshmen.

BENCH PRODUCTION
The Rock's top three reserves of late have been Braylon Littlejohn, Sheick Samoura and Mack Staunch.
 
• Littlejohn has continued to impress since returning from an early-season injury that derailed a portion of his redshirt freshman year. Now fully healthy, the local product from Butler, Pennsylvania has played at least 22 minutes in five of the last six games. He's averaged 6.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game over that stretch of time while shooting an efficient 57.8 percent (15-for-26).
 
• The veteran of the program, Samoura has gone for 7.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game this year.
 
• Staunch serves as SRU's primary interior reserve when Prince and James are not on the floor. A player who does the little things that won't always show up in a box score, Staunch is coming off one of his best statistical games of the season with six rebounds, six points and one assist against Clarion. 24 of his 38 rebounds this year have come on the offensive glass.  
 
GET TO THE BREAK WITH A LEAD
Slippery Rock is a perfect 15-0 in 2025-26 when holding a lead or being tied at halftime, but 0-8 when trailing after 20 minutes.
 
HAVE TO KEEP THE HAWKS OFF THE GLASS
Slippery Rock is 14-2 when holding a positive rebounding margin in games this season. On the year, SRU is ranked second in the PSAC in total rebounding (39.7) and fourth in rebounding margin (+4.9).
 
Rebounding proved fatal for The Rock in their loss to IUP earlier in the year as the Crimson Hawks were +9 (38-27) on the glass with over half of Indiana's rebounds coming on the offensive glass which led to 28 second chance points – the most by a Rock opponent this season.
 
IT'S A MAKE OR MISS GAME
Slippery Rock is 11-3 this season when shooting above 45 percent from the field, but 4-5 when shooting below 45 percent. In 15 wins SRU has shot 48.9 percent compared to 43.4 in eight losses. The Rock shot 47.1 percent against IUP earlier in the year and are coming off a Clarion win in which they enjoyed their third highest overall shooting percentage of the year (.554 / 31-of-56).
 
MAKING THE MOST OF A SECOND CHANCE
Slippery Rock has logged double-digit second chance point totals in 19 of 23 games this season. SRU is currently averaging 13.9 second chance points per game this season, well up from its 2024-25 average of 11.7. Slippery Rock was right on its season average with 13 versus Clarion.
 
Four of SRU's six worst second chance point totals in a game this season have resulted in losses – including the first IUP contest (9). SRU is 12-4 when earning 11 or more second chance points in a game, but just 3-4 when closing a contest with 10 or less.
 
CAPITALIZING ON MISTAKES
Through 23 games, SRU is scoring 15.4 points off turnovers per game, which if maintained through the end of the season would represent the fourth highest such average inside the program over the last 12 years. Despite Clarion committing only nine turnovers Wednesday, SRU still managed to score 14 points off the turnovers. SRU will need to once again make the most out of limited turnovers as IUP commits only 11.6 per game.  
 
KEEP IT UNDER 80
Slippery Rock is a perfect 14-0 when holding opponents to under 80 points, but just 1-8 in high-scoring (80+) contests. Clarion has been held under 80 points in 10 games this season overall, including in three of its last four contests. IUP has only been kept under 80 points six times this season, but have won four of those games.
 
HOW THE ROCK COMPARES (PSAC TEAM RANKINGS)
• Scoring: 10th (79.7)
• Points Allowed Per Game: 9th (76.9)
• Scoring Margin: 9th (+2.8)
• Field Goal %: 8th (.469)
• Opponent Field Goal %: 4th (.433)
• 3pt-Field Goal %: 10th (.335)
• Opponent 3pt-Field Goal %: 2nd (.286)
• 3pt Made Per Game: 13th (6.3)
• Free Throw %: 10th (.698)
• Free Throws Made Per Game: 5th (15.2)
• Rebounds Per Game: 2nd (39.7)
• Rebounding Margin: 4th (+4.9)
• Turnovers Per Game: 15th (16.2)
• Opponent Turnovers Per Game: 8th (13.8)
• Turnover Margin: 12th (-2.4)
• Steals Per Game: 9th (8.3)
• Blocks Per Game: 16th (2.0)
 
ROCK AMONG PSAC'S BEST (INDIVIDUAL LEADERS)
Dame Givner
• FT %: (8th / .783)
• 3PT %: (11th / .383)
• Scoring: (13th / 15.9)
• FG %: (16th / .439)
• Steals: (20th / 1.4)
• Assists: (20th / 3.1)
• Assist-Turnover Ratio: (24th / 1.0)

 Sheick Samoura
• Blocks Per Game: (10th / 1.0)
• Total Blocks: (11th / 22)
 
Isaac James
• Total Rebounding: (11th / 7.0)
• Offensive Rebounding: (12th / 2.2)
 
RJ Sledge
• Assist-Turnover Ratio: (18th / 1.3)
• Assists: (24th / 2.9)
 
SINGLE-GAME FRESHMEN SCORING AT SRU
SRU's talented freshmen class have been scoring at a rate that's been virtually unheard of for rookies at The Rock over the last quarter century.
 
This year's roster has accounted for eight of the 17 20-point games scored by a freshman at The Rock since the 2001-02 season (the furthest back game-by-game statistics are available)
 
Dame Givner has reached the 20-point threshold six times, with Elijah Hill and RJ Sledge notching one each. The most points scored by a freshman at The Rock since 2001-02 was Givner's 39 at Lock Haven.
 
Givner's 39 points vs. Lock Haven is the best single-game total by a freshman in DII this year and the 10th best by a rookie in the entire NCAA.
 
Single-Game Scoring by SRU Freshmen (Since 2001-02)
1. Dame Givner: 39 at Lock Haven (2025-26)
2. Jamar Scales: 34 vs. California (2005-06)
t3. Dame Givner: 28 at Pitt-Johnstown (2025-26)
t3. Jamar Scales: 28 vs. Kutztown (2005-06)
5. Matt Hale: 27 vs. Malone (2005-06)
6. RJ Sledge: 26 vs. Glenville State (2025-26)
7. Eroll Robinson: 25 vs. Ashland (2005-06)
t8. Dame Givner: 24 vs. Wheeling (2025-26)
t8. Dame Givner: 24 at Clarion (2025-26)
10. Eroll Robinson: 23 vs. Lincoln Memorial (2005-06)
t11. Dame Givner: 22 vs. Mansfield (2025-26)
t11. Jamar Scales: 22 vs. Lock Haven (2005-06)
t13. Dame Givner: 21 vs. Fairmont State (2025-26)
t13. Dylan Ahearn: 21 vs. Edinboro (2021-22)
t15. Elijah Hill: 20 vs. WV Wesleyan (2025-26)
t15. Chaq Pratt: 20 vs. Edinboro (2011-12)
t15. Eroll Robinson: 20 vs. Cheyney (2005-06)
 
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 1,366 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.
 
RECORD WATCH
Points By a Freshman at SRU
1. Myron Brown (1987-88): 516
2. Ian Folmar (1996-97): 418
3. Dame Givner (2025-26): 366
4. Herm Willis (1983-84): 345
5. Jamar Scales (2005-06): 334
--------
12. Bob Byler (1960-61): 240
13. Eroll Robinson (2005-06): 237
14. Hal Weightman (1957-58): 236
15. Brady Mayo (2025-26): 233
 
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
 
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
 
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 (75 Games, 2023-Active): 64
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
Feb. 18 (7:30 p.m.) at Gannon
Feb. 21 (3 p.m.) vs. Seton Hill
Feb. 25 (7:30 p.m.) vs. Edinboro
Feb. 28 (3 p.m.) at California (Pa.)
March 2 (TBA) vs. TBA (PSAC Tournament)

IUP PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 17-4
• PSAC Record: 12-3
• PSAC West Standings: 3rd
• Home Record: 9-2
• Away Record: 8-1
• Neutral Site Record: 0-1
• Streak: W4
• Last 5 Games: 4-1
• Head Coach: Joe Lombardi | 20th season (448-141)
 
LAAST 5 GAMES
vs. California: L (84-77)
at Seton Hill: W (95-84)
vs. PSU Du Bois: W (100-47)
at Edinboro: W (73-63)
at Pitt-Johnstown: W (88-82)
 
CRIMSON HAWK LEADERS (Per Game)
SCORING: Dallis Dillard (20.5), Christian Moore (18.0)
FG%: Damir Brooks (.696 / 80-115)
3PT%: Moore (.424 / 70-165)
ASSISTS: Dillard (5.2)
REBOUNDS: Dillard (6.4)
STEALS: Dillard (2.8)
BLOCKS: Brooks (1.2)
 
HOW IUP COMPARES (PSAC TEAM RANKINGS)
• Scoring: 4th (85.5)
• Points Allowed Per Game: 2nd (72.5)
• Scoring Margin: 2nd (+13.0)
• Field Goal %: 4th (.483)
• Opponent Field Goal %: 8th (.450)
• 3pt-Field Goal %: 1st (.380)
• Opponent 3pt-Field Goal %: 4th (.310)
• 3pt Made Per Game: 1st (10.4)
• Free Throw %: 6th (.726)
• Free Throws Made Per Game: 13th (13.0)
• Rebounds Per Game: 10th (37.1)
• Rebounding Margin: 8th (+3.2)
• Turnovers Per Game: 2nd (11.6)
• Opponent Turnovers Per Game: 6th (14.9)
• Turnover Margin: 2nd (+3.3)
• Steals Per Game: 7th (8.6)
• Blocks Per Game: 13th (2.6)
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock heads to nationally ranked Gannon University 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18.






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