KUTZTOWN, PA (February 26, 2010) – Officially, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs begin Tuesday night. In reality they begin Saturday afternoon when Kutztown University (20-6 overall, 7-6 PSAC) hosts Bloomsburg University (12-13, 6-7) at Keystone Arena in the regular season finale beginning at 3 p.m.
It's pretty simple; the winner of the game will earn another game along with a trip to Mansfield, East Stroudsburg or Cheyney. The loser's season is most likely finished. Kutztown was ranked eighth in this week's Atlantic Regional rankings. Bloomsburg is the hottest team in the PSAC even after being cooled off by Mansfield, 68-64, Wednesday night. The Huskies have won four of their last five games.
Meanwhile, the road was unkind to the Golden Bears, who lost three straight games at West Chester (75-68), East Stroudsburg (87-83) and Cheyney (76-71). In each game, Kutztown held a lead in the first half. Nobody imagined that the Kutztown, the PSAC preseason pick to win the conference, would be in this position after it started the season with 14 straight victories and rose to No. 2 in the country in the Division II top 25 poll on Jan. 19.
In the first meeting at Nelson Fieldhouse on Jan. 30, Bloomsburg defeated Kutztown, 70-58. In that game, senior guard Stephen Dennis and junior center Ryan Washington each fouled out. Dennis scored 24 points but the Golden Bears never found their groove as the Huskies pulled away late to win.
“I don't think we were mentally ready to play that game,” Dennis said. “We thought it was going to be a cakewalk and we didn't really go through the layup lines with any purpose. Then when the game started, we were all stiff, missing shots and I think we missed about three dunks. We know we have to match Bloomsburg's energy level.”
Bloomsburg has been playing with plenty of energy and fury since opening the PSAC East schedule with four straight defeats. The Huskies lead the PSAC in field goal percentage defense (39.1) and they are second in 3-point field goal percentage defense (29.1). Bloomsburg is also third in the conference in blocked shots (4.7) and fourth in scoring defense (64.6).
Bloomsburg has been paced by a balanced scoring attack led by Ruben Britt's 14.6 points per game. Britt is second in the PSAC in free-throw percentage (84.5) and tied for third in 3-point field goal percentage (40.0). Trevor Johnson averages 11.5 points per contest. He is third in the conference in steals (2.4). Adon El (10.6) and Larry Webster (10.1) are also double digit scorers for the Huskies. Webster is second in the PSAC in blocked shots (2.4).
Dennis and the Golden Bears are thrilled to be home after a rough four game road trip. Over the last two years, Kutztown is 27-1 in the cozy confines of Keystone Arena. Dennis leads Division II in scoring (27.2). He is also second in the PSAC in assists (4.7) and fourth in steals (2.1). Washington averages a double-double at 18.7 points (third in the PSAC) and 10.0 (second). He is also third in the conference in field goal percentage (60.7) behind teammate Tamir Johnson, who is first (65.3) and Webster, who is second (63.4).
Against Cheyney, Washington posted his 14th double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Johnson added 11 points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Julius Gray leads Kutztown with 57 3-pointers made.
Kutztown continues to lead the PSAC in scoring offense (80.4) and field goal percentage (49.6). The Golden Bears are third in field goal defense (40.3). One thing working in Kutztown's favor is under Dennis, Kutztown has not lost four straight games. Dennis will be honored prior to the start of the Bloomsburg game for a phenomenal career. While it may be his final game in Keystone Arena, Dennis is not ready to hang up his high-tops.
“It's going to take some guts and heart for us to win,” Dennis said. “Our season is not over. I know some people may be down on us, but as long as we have a game to play, we still have a chance to reach all of our goals. I still think we're the No. 2-ranked in the country. I know we don't play like it every night. We're all trying to finish the season with a bang.”
GOLD RUSH IS STILL ON: Kutztown University 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. Their 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.
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