Pittsburgh, PA - The La Roche University Redhawks (1-4, overall), head to Altoona, PA for their conference opener against the Penn State-Altoona Lions (5-1, overall, 1-0, conference). 

Hermie Carmichael is the Head Coach for the Redhawks and he's entering his ninth season with the team as Head Coach.

Under his tenure La Roche owns an overall record of 130-86 (.602) and an AMCC record of 104-42 (.712). In the past four seasons, the Redhawks have posted an overall record of 86-25 (.775) and a conference record of 67-7 (.905).

The Lion's Head Coach is David McGreal. McGreal is in his 4th season with the Lions. Throughout his time as head coach McGreal has stayed close to a .500 record each season. 

Stats Breakdown

Lions

So far this season the Lions are averaging 88.2 points per game with a field goal average of 48.3%. The team makes about 7.7 three point shots per game with a percentage of 40.4%. 

PSA captures 42 rebounds a game and 16.7 assists. 

As for turnovers the Lions average 17.2 a game, but make up for it with averaging 8.8 steals and 5.3 blocks per game. 

Redhawks

For La Roche having a tough start to the season coming into conference play with just one win under their belt, they're approaching this game with eyes wide open. 

The Redhawks average 80 points per game with a field goal percentage of 46.2%. The team averages 10.4 three-point shots made per game with a percentage of 38%. 

As for ball control LRU averages 33.6 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 6.2 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game. La Roche has a turnover average of 16.6 per game.

Players to Watch 

Lions

Offensively there are two main players that the Redhawks need to be on their toes about. Those players are Varun Ajjarapu (Guard/Freshman/ Tampa, FL), and Robbie Hicks (Guard/ Senior/ Rockledge, FL). 

The leading scorer of the two is Hicks. Hicks averages 14.5 points per game with a field goal percentage of 47.2%, and a three point percentage of 37.9%. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per game. 

Ajjarapu is shortly behind Hicks with 13.6 points averaged per game. His field goal percentage is 52.1% and his three-point percentage is 44.4%. Ajjarapu also contributes 3.6 rebounds per game, and 1.2 steals. 

Defensively, LRU has to keep their eyes peeled for PJ Charles (Center/ Freshman/Altoona,PA) who is the team's leading rebounder with 7.7 averaged per game. 

Y'shua Bragg (Forward/Junior/Pittsburgh, PA) is another threat to the Redhawks as he averages 2.2 blocks per game which could put a stop to the Redhawks' scoring chances. 

Redhawks

The leading scorer for the Redhawks is Joe Pipilo (Sophomore/Guard/Bridgeville, PA). Pipilo averages 17.4 points per game (49.1%). He also shoots 38.5% from three-point range. Pipilo contributes 4.4 rebounds per game and has a free throw percentage of 100%. In five games Pipilo has gone 18-18 in free throws. 

Devon Darrell (Junior/Guard/ Lockport, NY) is the next leading scorer for the Redhawks and has the most experience out on the court. 

Darrell averages 14.3 points per game (53.6%), and shoots 60% from the three-point line. Darrell this season has also racked up nine assists, three steals, and one block. Darrell also contributes 2.7 rebounds per game. 

Defensively, the threat to the Lions' offensive is Kadyn Hannah (Forward/Freshman/Murrysville, PA). 

Hannah is the leading rebounder for the Redhawks with 5.8 rebounds per game. Hannah throughout the five game stretch accumulated 7 steals, 4 blocks and 5 assists. Hannah himself also had a field goal percentage of 44.4%.

Watch here to see which team walks away with their first conference loss, tonight at 8 P.M.