KUTZTOWN, PA (December 9, 2010) – Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area) spent so much time playing basketball on Lincoln University's campus as a youngster that he should have been charged for rent, utilities, and had his mail delivered to the historic school.

 

“I used to go there almost every day and play pick-up games with the team or outside on the courts with the regular Lincoln students,” said Gray, who lived five minutes from Lincoln while attending Oxford Area High School. “I knew everybody up there that played basketball and they all used to call me a young buck.”

 

Gray is all grown up now. The senior leisure and sport studies major has a mean game with a sweet shot.

 

Gray's talents will be on display when Kutztown University (5-2 overall) finishes the first half of its schedule with a rare road trip to Lincoln University (0-5) in a men's basketball matinee Saturday at Manuel Rivero Hall. Tip-off is at 2 p.m.

 

Kutztown tamed Lincoln, 88-76, in last season's matchup at Keystone Arena. This will be the Golden Bears' first visit to Lincoln University since Dec. 13, 1989.  Kutztown is 5-1 all-time against the Lions. Lincoln's only victory over Kutztown was a 59-53 decision on Dec. 4, 1981.

 

While Gray maintains a poker face most of the time and shows very little emotion, he is looking forward to Saturday's clash in his backyard against the Lions with the same joy as a kid on Christmas morning.

 

“I am very excited to play Lincoln Saturday,” Gray said.  “I never really pictured me playing a college game at LU until this year so it's very exciting for me. I am going to see a lot of people that followed me through high school there so it should be a fun time.”

 

Gray has had plenty of fun times while playing for Kutztown. He has had a tremendous career helping the Golden Bears to 56 victories, two consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region tournament, one Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division title. Kutztown has also appeared in the last two PSAC title contests.

 

He enters the Lincoln contest with 703 career points and 126 made 3-pointers. Gray has scored in double figures 34 times as a Golden Bear. Gray's biggest challenge this season has been to speak more on the court as a leader. Last season with Division II National Player of the Year Stephen Dennis (West Chester, PA/Henderson) lighting up opponents, Gray was able to chill and sink 3-pointers.

 

“I am adjusting well to my new role,” Gray said. “In high school, I was always the leader of my teams and during summer I am the leader, so I have that experience. I just got to lead by example and not take any plays off for the rest of the season and be a vocal leader out on the court.”

 

Individually, Gray has put up some nice numbers. He is averaging 13.6 points per game this season for the Golden Bears. In addition, Gray leads Kutztown with 28 assists and 15 made 3-pointers. Gray is transitioning to the point guard position pretty well after starring as a shooting guard extraordinaire his first two seasons. He scored a career-high 25 points in a tough 62-59 loss to Wilmington University.

 

Gray has been getting plenty of help. Junior Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) has found his groove for the Golden Bears. Edwards has led Kutztown in scoring in the last two games, scoring a career-high 27 points against University of the Sciences and finishing with 16 points against Holy Family in Wednesday's victory. He leads KU in scoring with a 15.3 point per game average. Senior Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) chips in 12.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

 

Meanwhile, Lincoln has struggled out of the gate under first year coach James Hill. Lincoln has not played since losing to Millersville, 66-52, last Saturday. Members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Lions are averaging 47.8 points per game.

 

Junior Denzel Mooney is the Lions' leading scorer at 15.6 points per game. He scored a career-high 31 points in Lincoln's 70-57 loss to Division I Coppin State last week. Mooney was named the CIAA Player and Newcomer of the Week after averaging 24 points behind 20-of-41 shooting in two games last week for Lincoln.

 

Despite their record, the Lions have held four opponents below 70 points. In last week's defeat against Millersville, the Lions limited the Marauders to 34.5 percent shooting from the field. Lincoln outscored Millersville, 30-22 in the paint and got 35 points from its bench.

 

Kutztown will return to action when it hosts Mercyhurst College in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover contest at Keystone Arena on Monday, January 3. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and live stats for that contest will be available.

 

--KU--