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Ryan Washington
Bill Smith, Shippensburg University
Ryan Washington scored a game-high 23 points for Kutztown.

Men's Basketball

Dennis sets assist record as Kutztown falls to Shippensburg

SHIPPENSBURG, PA (February 20, 2010) -- Senior guard and Division II national player of the year candidate Stephen Dennis became the all-time Kutztown University leader in assists and Julius Gray made his first nine shots from the field to finish with 21 points, but it wasn't enough as the 16th-ranked Golden Bears lost, 87-83, to Shippensburg at Heiges Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division game. (BOXSCORE)

The Golden Bears (20-5 overall, 7-5 PSAC East) held a 46-38 advantage heading into the break, but the Red Raiders chipped away in the second half and eventual took the lead with five minutes, 51 seconds remaining in the contest. Lamar Jackson gave the Red Raiders (11-14, 7-8) the lead for good, 80-78, with a layup with 90 seconds remaining.

Trailing, 84-80, Ryan Washington, who finished with a game-high 23 points, gave Kutztown life when he scored a layup and made the ensuing foul shot with 26 seconds remaining that pulled the Golden Bears to within, 84-83. Gray stole the ensuing inbounds pass but his shot attempt fell short. Kutztown still had one more chance as Shippensburg split a pair of foul shots for an 85-83 lead with 22 seconds remaining.

Unfortunately, the Golden Bears were called for an offensive foul with 14 seconds remaining. Shippensburg's Brian Oleksiak closed the game by making two foul shots for the decisive margin.

Shippensburg was 22-for-24 from the foul line. Will Royal led four Red Raider players in double digits with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Jackson had 16 points and Oleksiak scored 15 points. Jordan Stasyszyn added 14 points.

The game began brilliantly for Dennis and the Golden Bears.He threaded a nice pass to Ryan Washington (Philadelphia, PA/Wissahickon) for an assist at the 15:52 mark of the first half to surpass Jeff Brickus as the all-time leader in assists at Kutztown with 426.

In addition to the assist record, Dennis scored in double figures for the 40th consecutive game and 101st time in his sterling career with his 18-point and 10-rebound effort, for his fourth double-double of the season. Dennis passed former Millersville standout Phil Walker and into third-place on the all-time PSAC scoring list with 2,265 points.

Tamir Johnson rounded out the Golden Bears in double figures with 11 points and brought down eight rebounds.

The loss dropped Kutztown into fourth place with two games remaining. The Golden Bears now trail East Stroudsburg, Mansfield and Cheyney, who are in a three-way tie atop the Eastern Division with an 8-4 record. Meanwhile, red-hot Bloomsburg is just a game behind KU at 6-6. Currently, Bloomsburg holds the tiebreaker edge over the Golden Bears because of its 70-58 victory on Jan. 30. 

Kutztown still controls its playoff fate. Two wins and the Golden Bears are in for sure. That's the simplistic way. There are other scenarios in which Kutztown can still win the regular season conference crown and host a first-round playoff game. The Golden Bears visit Cheyney Wednesday night (8 p.m.) and host Bloomsburg (1 p.m.) Saturday afternoon.

GOLD RUSH IS COMING!: Kutztown hosts Bloomsburg University for a basketball doubleheader on Saturday, February 27 and invites the community, alumni, students, staff and faculty to “Jam the Gym” – celebrating KU athletics and a successful season for Golden Bear men's and women's basketball squads. The goal is to fill every seat available in Keystone Hall, home to KU basketball. 

Fans and friends are encouraged to wear their 'gold' apparel to the final basketball games of the season.  At half-time of the men's game, a KU student will be randomly selected to shoot from half-court for a Gold Rush prize of $10,000.

 

The first-ever Gold Rush begins at noon with a Gold Rush rally for alumni, hosted by the Kutztown University Alumni Association in the Student Recreation Center. The Rush continues with the women's basketball game at 1 p.m. and the men's basketball game at 3 p.m. Tickets are just $5 and are available at the door on game day; KU students, staff and faculty are free.

--KU-- 


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