GLENVILLE, W.Va. – Glenville State Men's Basketball tips off the 2024-25 campaign this weekend at the University of Charleston Classic. The Pioneers will meet up with Indiana (Pa.) tomorrow (Nov. 8) and the nation's 6^th ranked team, California (Pa.), on Saturday (Nov. 9).

GAME INFORMATION
Friday, November 8 | 5 p.m. | H. Bernard Wehrle Senior Athletic Arena
Glenville State vs Indiana (Pa.)
Watch Live on MEC.TV | Live Stats

Saturday, November 9 | 12 p.m. | H. Bernard Wehrle Senior Athletic Arena
Glenville State vs #6 California (Pa.)
Watch Live on MEC.TV | Live Stats

THE OPPENENTS
INDIANA (Pa.)
2023-24 Season
The Hawks finished the 2023-24 campaign (17-13, 13-9 PSAC), falling in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament to eventual PSAC Champion, Gannon. IUP had two named All-PSAC West First Team and one to the All-Region Second Team.

Head Coach
Joe Lombardi is in his 19^th season as Head Coach of the IUP Men's Basketball program. During his time, he's won over 400 games, seven PSAC titles, three Atlantic Region Championships, made 12 NCAA Tournaments and have appeared in two NCAA DII National Championship games. He is the program's all-time winningest coach and the fifth all-time in PSAC history.

Quick Look at The Hawks
Indiana (Pa.) was picked fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West standings. Dallis Dillard is the top returner for the Hawks, as the senior was third on the team with 15.8 PPG before having his season ended with a knee injury. IUP is expected to see increased roles from a variety of players and mix in transfers and freshman. The Hawks added three transfers, headlined by Mercyhurst transfer Luke Triggs and New Hampshire (D1) transfer Christian Moore.

CALIFORNIA (Pa.)
2023-24 Season
The Vulcans had a historic 2023-24 season, going (28-5, 19-3 PSAC), appearing in the PSAC Championship game and made it to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Semifinals before falling to Charleston. California (Pa.) had four All-PSAC West honorees and the Atlantic Regional Player of the Year.

Head Coach
Danny Sancomb is in his seventh season as the leader of the Vulcans. He led the Vulcans to the NCAA Tournament in 2022-23 and 2023-24, including an appearance in the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship game during the 22-23 campaign. He came to Cal (Pa.) from Wheeling, where he won over 200 games, appeared in the MEC title game and made it to three-straight NCAA Tournaments.

Quick Look at The Vulcans
The Vulcans were picked to win the PSAC West coming into the new year. West Virginia native Bryson Lucas is the leading returner for Cal (Pa.), averaging 11.7 PPG and 6.0 RPG during the 2023-24 season. Donald Whitehead Jr. is another double-figure scorer back, posting 10.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG and 2.7 APG last season. Cam Polak is looking to bounce back after only appearing in one game last year as the redshirt junior averaged 13.7 PPG in 2022-23. Keith Palek III averaged 18.2 PPG in 2022-23 before he saw his averages dip in 2023-24 down to 8.7 PPG. The Vulcans lost all three of their top scorers from a year ago.

THE PIONEERS
GLENVILLE STATE
2023-24 Season
The Pioneers went (14-16, 8-12 MEC) last year, making it to the MEC Quarterfinals before being knocked out by West Liberty. Two Pioneers earned All-Conference honors, including returner Devin Collins.

Head Coach
Bob Bolen is in his second season as Head Coach of the Pioneers. Prior to GSU, Bolen was an assistant at East Tennessee State. Before ETSU, Bolen had an historic tenure at Mountain State University. He won 489 games, one NAIA National Championship and two NAIA National Coach of the Year honors at MSU.

Quick Look at The Pioneers
Glenville State was picked sixth in the MEC Coaches Preseason poll, one spot ahead of where they finished the 2023-24 season. The Pioneers return All-MEC Honorable Mention selection Devin Collins (13.6 PPG & 5.5 RPG) and starting guard Dominiq Penn, who averaged 12.3 PPG last year. To go with a mix of returners who played valuable minutes, GSU added nine new faces to the 2024-25 roster, including six transfers. Samier Kinsler (West Virginia State) and Ziri Blackwood (Charleston) both have experience in the MEC at the guard spot while Lucas Ribeiro (Lindsey Wilson) and Paul Gakmar (New Hampshire) bring size and collegiate experience in the front court.

MEDIA
Fans can follow Glenville State Men's Basketball on Twitter (X) @GSUMensHoops and Instagram @GSU_MBB for news and score updates plus many more all season long. 

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