IUP Men's basketball loses to Shaw in Atlantic Region quarterfinals

WEST LIBERTY, WEST VIRGINIA -- For the first time since 2009, the No. 7 IUP men's basketball team will not make a trip to the Atlantic Regional final as it fell to the No. 2 seed Shaw of the CIAA in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 62-54. The game also marked the last time seniors Ashton Smith and Julian Sanders will suit up in an IUP uniform.

Much like other games during this season, the senior tandem were the only two Crimson Hawks (23-6) in double figures, but the lack of offense from the team overall cost them for the second game in a row. This time, the loss ends the Hawks' season and the careers of two of the best players in program history.

"We found a way to win a lot of games all year long," IUP Head Coach Joe Lombardi said after the game. "In no way were we a dominating team and we just had some great leadership from our three terrific seniors. They had a lot of heart and they passed it along to the rest of the team. I certainly feel it was a gritty bunch and bunch that played together and cared about each other. Those intangibles helped us have the success that we did."

IUP's successful season was halted by a bigger, stronger Shaw team (26-3) that will move on to face Wheeling Jesuit in the Atlantic Region semifinals.

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