IUP men's basketball denied spot in Division II title game

Making their first Final Four appearance in seven years, the IUP men’s basketball team had its sights set on a Division II national championship. But cold shooting and a talented Augusta squad were too much.

The Crimson Hawks saw their season end with a 76-61 loss in the national semifinals Tuesday in Evansville, Ind. IUP finishes the season 33-3.

IUP shot only 37.2% for the game, compared to a sizzling 54.7% for Augusta.

The Crimson Hawks got 17 points from PSAC Freshman of the Year Tomiwa Sulaiman. Dave Morris added 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Armoni Foster finished with 12 points.

IUP led by five with just under six minutes remaining in the first half, but Augusta rallied to tie the score 32-32 at halftime. The Crimson Hawks were within six at the 11-minute, 18-second mark of the second half before Augusta began to pull away, stretching the lead to 15 with just under seven minutes to play.

Augusta’s Tyshaun Crawford made all 12 of his field goal attempts and led all scorers with 25 points. He also had 14 rebounds and three blocks. Ja’Queze Kirby added 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

Augusta (33-3) will play Northwest Missouri State in the championship game Saturday.