The Series: The two teams split the season series, with ESU and SU both earning wins on the road. ESU earned a gritty 59-54 at Heiges Field House on Jan. 15, with Mike Millsip, Marc Rodriguez and Carlos Pepin each pouring in 13 points. The contest marked the fewest points by a Warrior team in a win since 2012-13. Shippensburg earned a 72-58 win over ESU on Jan. 29, as a 19-6 second half run that saw the Raiders making 8-of-11 field goal attempts deciding the game. ESU looks to tie the overall series, with the Raiders holding a 59-58 lead. SU earned an 85-71 victory the last time the teams met in the PSAC Tournament during the 2016-17 season. ESU has been held to shoot 27.3 percent from 3-point land in two games against the Raiders. Shippensburg ranks ninth nationally in 3-point field goal defense.
About the Warriors: ESU enters the postseason on a six-game winning streak, picking up wins in eight of its past nine contests. The balanced Warrior offense has scored at least 100 points over its past three games as five players enter the postseason averaging double-figures in scoring, led by Carlos Pepin’s 14.5 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per contest. Lakeem McAliley has posted at least 17 points during ESU’s six-game winning streak.
PSAC Tournament History: The Warriors boast an all-time PSAC Tournament record of 20-15, including a 14-2 record at home and a 10-8 PSAC Quarterfinal Record. ESU enters Wednesday's contest with a 13-game winning streak at Koehler Fieldhouse during PSAC Tournament games, last falling in the 2009-10 season to IUP. ESU has played Shippensburg just once in the PSAC Tournament, falling to the Raiders by a score of 85-71 on March 1, 2017 at Shippensburg.
ESU at Koehler Fieldhouse during the PSAC Tournament (14-2, 13-game winning streak)
- 2020: W, ESU 86, West Chester 74
- 2019: W, ESU 92, Kutztown 79
- 2018: W, ESU 85, Kutztown 71
- 2018: W, ESU 98, Edinboro 75
- 2018: W, ESU 89, Gannon 67 (PSAC Championship)
- 2017: W, ESU 106, Lock Haven 87
- 2016: W, ESU 82, Lock Haven 59
- 2015: W, ESU 78, Millersville 62
- 2014: W, ESU 78, Millersville 58
- 2014: W, ESU 63, Mercyhurst 55
- 2014: W, ESU 92, West Chester 80 (PSAC Championship)
- 2013: W, ESU 102, Mansfield 74
- 2010: W, ESU 76, Cheyney 65
- 2010: L, IUP 86, ESU 67
- 1998: L, West Chester 80, ESU 58
- 1991: W, ESU 70, West Chester 65
With a Win:
- The winner advances to the PSAC Semifinals and will face the winner of first-seed IUP and fourth-seed Cal U. The highest remaining seed in the PSAC West will host the PSAC Semifinals and PSAC Championship game.
- ESU will tie the all-time series at 59-59 and reach the 20-win threshold for the fourth consecutive season and for the ninth time under ESU all-time wins leader Jeff Wilson with a victory.
About the Raiders: Shippensburg advanced to the PSAC Quarterfinal round and picked up its 20th win of the season with a 77-64 victory over sixth seed Lock Haven. 2019-20 PSAC Eastern Division Athlete of the Year Jake Biss has caught fire as of late, scoring at least 20 points in each of his last five contests, including a 36-point outburst against Mansfield. The Latrobe native is now averaging 16.8 points per game to lead the Raiders and is joined in double-figures by Rashon Johnson (15.9 ppg), Carlos Carter (12.4 ppg) and Dom Sleva (10.3 ppg).
