KUTZTOWN, PA (January 23, 2010) – Kutztown University senior guard and Division II national player of the year candidate Stephen Dennis took care of the Kutztown men's basketball scoring record with 16 minutes, 56 seconds remaining in the contest against Shippensburg University when he scored a layup and was fouled at precisely 4:03 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. (BOXSCORE)
Then, the Golden Bears, ranked second in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches/Division II Top 25 poll, scored 10 quick points during a three-minute stretch midway through the second half to post an 82-67 victory over Shippensburg in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division contest at Keystone Arena Saturday afternoon.
Kutztown (15-1 overall, 3-1 PSAC East) extended its home court winning streak to 24. Shippensburg dropped to 8-9 and 1-3. Following the game, Dennis, a pleasant package of electricity, excitement and elusiveness, signed shirts, posters, game programs and hats.
“It feels good to finally get the scoring record over with,” Dennis said. “I am really happy about that because now we can continue to focus on our team goals now that this is behind me. I don't have to think about the school scoring record anymore. I guess getting the basket on an and-one was a pretty good way to break Dave's record.”
Even though the game was paused for a few seconds as fans snapped photos and Dennis received congratulatory hugs and high-fives from friends, family members, coaches, teammates and former KU basketball standouts, Kutztown was locked in a tight struggle against Shippensburg. Dennis' milestone basket only gave the Golden Bears a slim 49-45 lead.
Dennis reached the 2,000-point plateau with 13:13 remaining in the first half when he swished a jumper. A ruthless scorer with a shot as soft as a pillow, Dennis became the second student-athlete in Kutztown history and the 11th men's player in PSAC history to reach 2,000 career points. Dennis has racked up more numbers than a Soduku puzzle during a sterling career that has yet to reach its final destination.
Dennis, who surpassed Dave Ben as the all-time leading scorer in school history, finished with a game-high 33 points to raise his career point total to 2,029 points. Ben was in attendance and went on the court to congratulate Dennis, who is now the eighth-leading scorer in PSAC history. He passed Clarion's Reggie Wells (2,011), Ben (2,017) and current West Chester coach Damian Blair (2,025). Ben's record lasted 16 games.
Dennis scored 30 or more points for the fourth straight game. Earlier this season, Dennis became the all-time KU leader in made baskets. He currently holds the school standard with 724.
However, it was the Herculean effort of junior forward Tamir Johnson that helped Kutztown bounce back from its first defeat of the season Wednesday night at Mansfield. Johnson, a transfer from Central Connecticut State, enjoyed his best game as a Golden Bear finishing with 20 points and 18 rebounds. Johnson gobbled loose rebounds the way Cookie Monster devours plates of Oreos, Chips Ahoy and Vanilla Wafers.
Junior Ryan Washington added 15 points as Kutztown moved into a three-way tie for first place with East Stroudsburg, who edged Cheyney, and Mansfield, who lost on the road at West Chester. The Golden Bears made 54.5 percent of their shots for the game, the 13th time this season they have shot at least 50 percent.
During the decisive surge, four different Kutztown players scored. Leading, 56-52, freshman Ivory Wells started the run with a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 11:30 remaining. Dennis scored and converted the ensuing foul shot to help the Golden Bears open their first double-digit advantage of the game, 62-52. Kutztown's advantage never dropped below double digits.
Freshman Jon DeShields and Johnson finished the run with a layup and pair of foul shots, respectively. Johnson ended the game with a thunderous dunk off of a perfect pass from Steve Coffey (Reading, PA/Wilson), who received the ball from Dennis.
Lamar Jackson led Shippensburg with 14 points. Also reaching double digits for the Red Raiders was Craig Van Scyoc (13 points, eight rebounds) and Will Royal (12 points). Shippensburg drove Kutztown crazy for a half, trailing 38-36 at intermission.
“I am extremely happy for Stephen,” Kutztown coach Bernie Driscoll said. “He's a quality kid. Sometimes as a coach, you hope you have players like Stephen. To see Dave Ben and Jeff Brickus sitting behind the bench was great. Those guys came a long distance to see Stephen make history today.”
Kutztown returns to action Wednesday night when it hosts West Chester University in an 8 p.m. showdown.
NOTES: Dennis has scored in double figures 93 times in his career. …This was the 11th time in his career he has scored at least 30 points in a single game. …Dennis needs seven made foul shots to surpass Ben to become the all-time free-throw leader in school history…Dennis has made 512 foul shots. …Dennis is also within reach of two more school records. …He has 394 career assists and needs 32 to own that mark. …Finally, with 210 career steals, Dennis is 50 shy of becoming the career leader in that category.
--KU--
