MBSK11-29

ESU-IUP Men's Basketball

EAST STROUDSBURG - Indiana University of Pennsylvania spoiled the home coaching debut of East Stroudsburg University coach Mike Power by beating the Warriors, 81-66, in men's basketball Monday night in the LeRoy J. Koehler Fieldhouse.

Ahead by only three points, 60-57, with less than seven minutes remaining, the Indians broke it open with a 17-7 scoring run over the next five minutes. Freshman Keenan Holmes had seven of his team-high 19 points while Steve Menifee tallied six of his game total of 17 points.

IUP dominated the inside game, grabbing 17 offensive rebounds and forging a 37-30 overall rebounding edge. The 6-7, 235-pound Menifee hauled down nine boards while 6-5, 230-pound Mike Beckles had eight rebounds along with 16 points.

ESU guard Shahad Abdur Rahkman took game scoring honors with 24 points, making eight of 13 shots from the floor and eight of ten free throw attempts. The freshman from William Allen High School has scored in double figures in all five games.

The Warriors' Juwan Justice added 15 points, including four three-pointers, and Rob Smith contributed ten points. IUP's Brian Brennan, a transfer from ESU and former Notre Dame High School of Green Pond player, also was in double figures with 11 points, including a pair of 'threes.'

The win was the third straight for the Indians and raised the team's record to 3-2. ESU is now 0-5 and will play Southern Connecticut in the first round of the 35^th Rotary Pocono Classic Friday at 7:30 p.m.

IUP 81

Brennan 4 1-2 11, Anthony 1 2-2 4, Evans 2 4-5 9, Faulkner 1 2-4 5, Holmes 8 0-1 19, Beckles 6 4-5 16, Menifee 5 7-9 17, Cummins 0 0-0 0. Totals: 27 20-28 81

East Stroudsburg 66

Rahkman 8 8-10 24, Smith 3 4-4 10, Alden 1 0-0 2, Justice 5 1-2 15, Kostic 2 0-2 4, Miskar 2 1-2 5, Henderson 2 2-2 6, Lynch 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 16-22 66

Three-Points: IUP - Holmes 3, Brennan 2, Evans, Faulkner; ESU - Justice 4

Halftime: IUP, 41-35

Officials: Rodney Strobe, John Leighton, Gary Spengler