KUTZTOWN, PA. (December 2, 2009) – Several members of the Kutztown University women's basketball team departed Keystone Hall with an extra bounce in their step despite suffering an 80-76 setback to 10th-ranked California (Pa.) Wednesday night. (BOXSCORE)
The Golden Bears (3-2 overall) were disappointed to see their two-game winning streak end despite having four players score in double figures. However, Kutztown displayed character, heart, desire and its trademark defense to put itself in a position to send shockwaves across the Division II women's basketball landscape.
Unfortunately, for the Golden Bears, they could not climb out of an 18-point first half hole against the Vulcans (5-1). Still, Kutztown was in much better spirits following the game because of the plethora of positives it showcased during the game.
Junior forward Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) (Pittsburgh/Shaler) scored 13 of her team-high 18 points in the second half. McQuade also grabbed all six of her rebounds after intermission. Senior guard Rachel Wisemiller (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton Area) (Hazleton/Hazleton) finished with a season-high 17 points. Junior guard Kristen Murray (Harrisburg, PA/Trinity) (Harrisburg/Trinity) and senior center Chauntelle Schroeder (Toronto, Ontario, CANADA/Mother Teresa) (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Mother Teresa) contributed 15 points each for the Golden Bears.
“This shows that we can play with anybody,” Murray said. “In the second half, everybody played hard. We all have a positive outlook for the rest of our season after this game. This is a tough loss and we'd like to have the first half back, but I believe everybody played as hard as they could.”
California got a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds from junior Kayla Smith. Reigning Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division Player of the Year Brooque Williams finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Crystal Andrews scored 13 points.
The Vulcans punctured Kutztown's proud defense for 56 points in the opening half. The second half was a different story as the Golden Bears' defense tightened like tourniquet. Cal labored to score 24 points after intermission. Kutztown held Cal to 30 percent shooting in the second half.
Working hard and defending furiously, Kutztown chipped away at Cal's margin. McQuade brought the crowd to its feet when she drained a 3-pointer from the right wing with 5 minutes, 4 seconds remaining that sliced Cal's lead to 73-70.
The crowd really went wild when senior forward Vivian Melvin (Chichester, PA/Chichester) (Chichester/Chichester) scored a layup to cut the Vulcans' advantage to 73-72 with 4:29 remaining. On Cal's next trip down the floor, Melvin caught a pass thrown to her for a steal. Unfortunately for the Golden Bears, a wide-open 3-pointer from the corner hit off the side of the rim. The Golden Bears remained within a 3-pointer of tying or taking the lead until the final 10 seconds.
Trailing by five, junior guard Meredith Starr (Richmond, VA/Monacan) (Richmond, VA/Monacan) gave Kutztown more hope when she stole a pass along the sidelines and blindly passed the ball to McQuade, who scored to pull the Golden Bears to within, 78-75 with 1:10 remaining. KU had two chances to get closer, but it could not take advantage of its opportunities.
The Golden Bears received meaningful and major scoring contributions from Schroeder and Wisemiller. Both players had not scored the way they were accustomed to during Kutztown's first four games.
Schroeder made her first six baskets and attacked Cal's defense like a high-powered jackhammer banging into black asphalt. Wisemiller made three of her four 3-pointers in the first half as her feathery touch reappeared. Keeping pace with Schroeder was Murray, who made her first five shots of the game and supplied Kutztown with a jolt of energy.
Two more positives for Kutztown was it finished with 26 assists on its 30 baskets and it shot a season-best 51.7 percent against the toughest opponent it has faced to date.
California's jalapeno-hot shooting was the main reason Kutztown faced its largest deficit of the season. During a seven-minute stretch of the first half, the Vulcans made 13 consecutive baskets. At one point, California made six of its first seven 3-point attempts. Although the Golden Bears were shaken by Cal's basket barrage, they survived and began delivering blows. Kutztown trailed, 56-43 at halftime.
Both teams were incredibly accurate in the first half. Kutztown was 18-for-30 (60 percent) from the field and 7-for-14 (50 percent) from 3-point distance. Cal was better. The Vulcans were 23-for-36 (63.9 percent) and 6-for-10 (60 percent) in the first half.
“In the second half, we did a better job of defending their double screens,” McQuade said. “We also focused on improving our help defense and I think we did that. Even when we were down by 18 points in the first half, we continued to push each other and not get frustrated. This game, even though we lost, will help us as we move forward.”
Kutztown returns to action Saturday afternoon when it hosts University of the Sciences at 1 p.m. California hosts Shippensburg in its next contest at 7 p.m. on Friday December 11.
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