“Opening up with a nationally-ranked team, especially one in the top five, is very exciting and great way to start the season with a potential upset,” senior forward Kristen Murray (Harrisburg, PA/Trinity) said. “It will provide solid experience and preparation for our league games.”

 

The Tigers (1-0 overall) defeated 24th-ranked Bentley, 92-84, in Monday's opener behind a balanced effort that saw five players reach double figures in scoring. Erin Mann had 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead Holy Family, who used a 16-5 spurt midway through the second half to take control.

 

Murray is one of a triumvirate of seniors ready to lead a young Golden Bear squad that has experienced plenty of success over the last two years. Kutztown has won 39 games over the last two years. The Golden Bears advanced to the PSAC semifinals where they had their season ended by No. 1-ranked Gannon.

 

“I believe my role this year is to help out in any aspect of the game,” Murray said. “Getting the younger girls involved and becoming more comfortable with the pace of the college game is a top priority.”

 

Along with Murray, seniors Meredith Starr (Richmond, VA/Monacan) and Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) also provide plenty of scoring, rebounding, leadership and experience. McQuade was named to the preseason all-PSAC East team.

 

McQuade starts her pursuit of the all-time school scoring record against the Tigers. She enters the season with 1,166 career points, which is tied for sixth on the all-time KU scoring list with Patti Blackmon. She needs 269 points to replace Amy Wahl as KU's all-time leading scorer. Also, McQuade needs 123 rebounds to surpass Mercedes Van Wagner as the top rebounder in women's basketball history. She currently has 761 rebounds and is sixth on the all-time list. McQuade is fifth on the all-time KU list for 3-pointers (109).

 

Starr, a 5-3 guard, has started the last two years. Last season, Starr averaged 8.3 points, 3.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game. She also made 33 3-pointers, which was second on the team. Starr also made 40.5 percent of her shots. Starr scored in double figures eight times.

 

Murray is one of the top foul shooters in the PSAC. She was 27-for-28 last year in her first season in the maroon-and-gold. Murray transferred to Kutztown from East Stroudsburg and proved to be a perfect fit. She averaged 7.8 points and reached double digits in scoring eight times.

 

“When shooting foul shots I slow myself down and don't think about anything,” Murray said. I just shoot the ball. They are free points for the team so I don't want to let my teammates down by missing.”

 

Murray's accuracy at the free-throw will be crucial for the Golden Bears if they're going to pull out the victory because Holy Family is loaded. Members of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, the Tigers return seven players from last year's squad that advanced all the way to the NCAA Division II East Region Final. The Tigers are coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history after finishing last year 30-3 overall and 19-0 in the CACC.

All-CACC First Team and Division II Honorable Mention All-America selection Catherine Carr returns for her senior season as she led the Tigers in scoring last year with 17.0 points per game. Carr surpassed the 1,000-career point plateau last November and will enter this season ranked ninth all-time in school history with 1,551 career points.