KUTZTOWN, PA (February 16, 2010) – Like a shot of espresso, the Kutztown University bench triumvirate of freshman Ashley Wood, freshman Steph Zewe and junior Kristen Murray have provided an energy drink-like jolt to the Golden Bears' line-up lately.
They have provided much needed scoring, defense, rebounding. More importantly, they're complimenting the starting five and enabling them to rest key minutes during games. Keeping the starters fresh down the stretch will be crucial if the Golden Bears are to accomplish their goal of hosting a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division playoff game on Tuesday, March 2.
However, there is plenty of work to be done to achieve that. Kutztown (16-7 overall, 7-3 PSAC East) have four games remaining beginning with a visit to rejuvenated West Chester (16-7, 6-4) Wednesday night at Hollinger Fieldhouse in a biggie. Fans can listen to the game on the Golden Bear Radio Network. This is the second stop on a four-game road trip.
“It's a rough stretch with us playing a lot of games,” Kutztown head coach Janet Malouf said. “We'll be spending a lot of time on the road. Lately, Ashley, Kristen and Steph have started to pick it up, help the starters and make an impact, which is nice to see. They're all playing with more confidence.”
West Chester (16-7, 6-4) and Bloomsburg (14-8, 6-4) are a game behind Kutztown for second place. Shippensburg (12-14, 5-5) and Cheyney (8-14, 5-5) are also in the mix for one of the four playoff spots. Fortunately for Kutztown, all of its remaining games are against teams they lead. Quite simply, if Kutztown takes care of its business, it will be home to begin the playoffs.
“That's very important for us to be able to host a playoff game,” Murray said. “That's something we have as a goal. We know it's going to be tough because everybody is coming after us. We just have to take everything one game at a time.”
Kutztown held off East Stroudsburg, 66-58, Monday night behind Murray's brilliant all-around performance. She scored a team-high 14 points, handed out a career best eight assists and snatched six rebounds. Wood added 11 points and was 4-for-4 at the free-throw line down the stretch as KU withstood Dayna Rayam's 32-point effort. Zewe leaped off the bench and contributed a career-high nine points. Together, they combined for 34 points in the win over the Warriors.
Murray is beginning to find her early season groove. The East Stroudsburg transfer began the season reaching double digits in her first five games before hitting a rough stretch. Now, that the money month has arrived for the Golden Bears, she has rediscovered her scoring touch.
Zewe has played at least nine minutes in four straight games. She also scored eight points in a victory over Mansfield last week. Zewe's soft finishing touch and tenacious rebounding has given opposing teams a headache.
Meanwhile, Wood is really beginning to get comfortable running the show for Kutztown. A human ball of kinetic energy with a bubbly personality, Wood has scored in double figures seven times this season, including two of Kutztown's last three games. She played a season-high 25 minutes against East Stroudsburg. She has a quick handle and is improving her decision making. Wood scored a career-high 16 points to help KU knock off Clarion earlier this season.
“It took me a while to get used to playing on this level and at this speed,” Wood said. “My team has been a big help to me boosting my confidence and helping me fit in with everybody else. I know coach expects a lot out of me and there is plenty of pressure on me.”
The pressure will not lighten on the Golden Bears as they face a West Chester squad that has won four of its last five games since losing to KU, 76-56 at Keystone Arena on Jan. 27. The 20-point defeat was West Chester's worst of the season. West Chester defeated Bloomsburg, 74-71 in overtime Saturday afternoon and Cheyney, 70-67, Wednesday night.
In its victory against Cheyney, Allison Hostetter (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Renata Neal (12 points, 11 rebounds) each posted double-doubles, and Megan Stewart led the Golden Rams with 14 points. Hostetter came three assists shy of a triple double in the win. Mary Kate Serratelli scored 10 points off the bench for the Golden Rams, who are led in scoring by Janelle Garber's 11.3 point per game average.
In the first meeting between Kutztown and West Chester, the Golden Bears placed four players in double figures highlighted by Rachel Wisemiller (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton Area)'s 19 points and Chauntelle Schroeder (Toronto, Ontario, CANADA/Mother Teresa)'s 17 points. Murray had 15 points and Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) added 10 points for KU in the victory. Kutztown's defense limited West Chester to 29 percent shooting (18-for-62) and forced the Golden Rams into 23 turnovers.
“Playing this many games in a short period is tough on the knees,” Wood said. “But at this point, you just have to find a way to get through it and continue to play hard. We all know what our roles are and we just have to keep being prepared whenever coach calls on us.”
NOTES: Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) moved into 10th place on the all-time Kutztown women's basketball scoring list. She has scored 1,051 points.
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