KUTZTOWN, PA (December 1, 2010) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team overcame a six-point halftime deficit to defeat Chestnut Hill College, 76-61 in a non-conference contest Wednesday night at Keystone Arena (BOXSCORE)

 

Lately under veteran coach Bernie Driscoll, wins in the month of December have become as routine as Christmas decorations, Santa Claus, snow and jammed mall parking lots. This was the Golden Bears' 12th straight victory in the month of December.

 

The Golden Bears (4-1 overall) burned the nets for 51 points after intermission on 70.8 percent shooting. Kutztown made 17-of-24 baskets in the second half to remain perfect all-time against Chestnut Hill (1-4). The Golden Bears are 4-0 all time against the Griffins, which led 31-25 at halftime.

 

Leading the way for Kutztown were guards Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area) and Eric Henry (Harrisburg, PA/Harrisburg), who each scored a team-high 15 points. Also reaching double digits for Kutztown was Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) with 14 points and Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter), who posted his second straight double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

 

Kutztown was simply a different team in the second half as it ran its early season winning streak to three games.

 

“We looked really bad in the first half,” Gray said. “But we were able to pick it up in the second half and hustled. I know in the first half I was rushing things a lot, but in the second half, I let the game come to me.”

 

Before Gray took control, Brennan got the Golden Bears headed in the right direction. The Lock Haven transfer scored KU's first six points of the second half during a quick 90-second burst to get the Golden Bears even. Then Gray went to work. After Mark DiRugeris converted an old-fashioned 3-point play to give Chestnut Hill its final lead, 34-33, Gray answered with a 3-pointer that gave KU the lead for good, 36-34.

 

Gray scored 13 points in the second half on 5-for-6 accuracy. Brennan also perked up after intermission scoring 12 of his points. Henry, who plays at the speed of light, was 9-for-15 from the foul line during the second half.

 

“I just don't think we played Kutztown basketball in the first half and we were selfish,” Kutztown coach Bernie Driscoll said. “The second half was different and I was happy with how we played. This was a good solid win for us.”

 

Driscoll did enjoy the performances of Johnson and Jermaine Jackson (Blandon, PA/Reading). Steve Coffey (Reading, PA/Wilson) also turned in a solid workman-like effort with eight points in 27 minutes.

 

Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) also participated in his first regular season game since the 2007-08 season and scored four points in 13 minutes. His experience will be an asset as Kutztown continues forward in its season. Edwards' only field goal was a 3-pointer that gave Kutztown its first double-digit advantage, 61-49, with 8 minutes, 33 seconds remaining. That basket off of a Gray assist capped a 15-4 Kutztown run. Chestnut Hill got no closer than nine points the rest of the game.

 

“It was nice to get Nate some time tonight,” Driscoll said. “Kendall Harris (Brentwood, NY/Pocono Mountain East) also looked good for us. We know we have some things to clean up.”

 

Reaching double figures for the Griffins were DiRugeris (game-high 17 points), Brandon Williams (11) and Uros Kovacevic (10). Chestnut Hill finished the first half with a 14-4 run to reverse a 21-17 deficit and sprint off the floor with its six-point edge.

 

Kutztown continues its non-conference schedule when it heads on the road to face the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Saturday afternoon beginning at 3 p.m. Chestnut Hill returns to action Saturday afternoon when it hosts Cheyney University.

 

--KU--