KUTZTOWN, PA (December 22, 2009) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team survived a hard fought battle with an 81-77 win against the University of District of Columbia on Tuesday night at Keystone Arena. The win marks KU's 19th consecutive home victory. (BOXSCORE)
Stephen Dennis (West Chester, PA/Henderson) (West Chester/Henderson) and Ryan Washington (Philadelphia, PA/Wissahickon) (Philadelphia/Wissahickon) each turned in superb performances to keep the Golden Bears perfect at 6-0 overall.
Dennis scored 25 points, dished out seven assists and had six steals, while Washington recorded a double-double with 22 points and 14 boards.
Washington was a very efficient 9-of-13 from the floor, including a second half layup in which he drove coast-to-coast and weaved his way through the UDC defense.
The Firebirds kept pace with the Golden Bears, heading into the first intermission deadlocked at 36-apiece. KU, who moved up to No. 7 in the most recent NABC/Division II top 25 poll, outscored UDC 45-41 in an second half that left the fans on the edge of their seats.
After tying the contest at 65 with 6:29 remaining in the game, the Golden Bears would not trail again following a clutch three from Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area High School) (Lincoln University/Oxford). Gray, finishing with 13 points, hit another important 3-pointer with 3:03 left to give Kutztown a 75-69 advantage.
The Golden Bears held off UDC, despite a 2-of-6 effort at the charity stripe in the final minute and only 15-of-25 for the entire game.
Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) (Philadelphia/Imhotep Charter) gave the Golden Bear offense numerous second chances, pulling in six offensive boards. The junior guard finished the game with nine rebounds and chipped in with seven points.
The last time the Golden Bears took the court for a game was against UDC in another tight match that saw KU win 82-76 on December 9.
KU will return to action on Tuesday December 29 for a 7 p.m. tip-off against Lincoln University at Keystone Arena.
--KU--
