KUTZTOWN, PA (March 1, 2010) – Mansfield University and Kutztown University have become playoff dance partners over the last few years. For the fifth time since 2004, Kutztown and Mansfield will tangle in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) quarterfinals.

This is a rematch of last year's quarterfinal match won the Golden Bears, 97-86, only in reverse. Mansfield is the top seed and Kutztown is the fourth seed. The Mounties (18-8 overall) finished in a first-place tie with East Stroudsburg to end the reign of the two-time regular season champion Golden Bears (21-6). Fans can listen to all of the action on the Golden Bear Radio Network at www.kubears.com.

Four of the five playoff meetings have occurred in cozy Decker Gym. Kutztown is 2-2 all-time in playoff meetings against Mansfield. In last year's playoff meeting, Stephen Dennis scored 31 points and Ryan Washington added 19 points to lead Kutztown. Mansfield was led by Ryan Callahan, who scored 27 points. Yuseff Carr scored 16 and had nine rebounds.

Both teams split a pair of regular season meetings. The Mounties handed Kutztown their first defeat of the season, 94-87 on Jan. 20. The Golden Bears squeezed out an 81-69 triumph on Feb. 11. Since that defeat, Mansfield closed the season by winning its final five games. Meanwhile, Kutztown wobbled down the stretch losing three of its last four games.

“We haven't played poorly on the road,” Kutztown coach Bernie Driscoll said. “We were in every game and we just need to clean up some little things. It's going to be a good game and we just need to give ourselves an opportunity to win the game at the end.”

In the first meeting at Mansfield, Kutztown led, 87-85 with 1:14 remaining. The Golden Bears still had the ball trailing by one point with 32 seconds remaining. Kutztown has the confidence that it can play with Mansfield or any other team in the PSAC. Of course, any team that features Dennis, a senior guard and Division II national player of the year candidate always has a chance to do some damage.

Two of Dennis' biggest games this season occurred against Mansfield. He scored 36 points in the first meeting and 37 points in the second contest. Dennis, the all-time leading scorer in Kutztown history, leads Division II in scoring (27.2). He has scored 2,321 points in his sterling career, which is third on the all-time PSAC scoring list. Dennis is also second in the conference in assists (4.6) and fourth in steals (2.1).

Washington has posted 16 double-doubles this season. Washington is averaging 18.5 points (third in the PSAC) and 10.0 rebounds per game (second). Washington is also second in blocked shots (2.4) and third in field goal percentage (60.7).  Junior Julius Gray chips in 12.9 points per contest. Gray is seventh in 3-point field goals made (2.1).

Driscoll knows the key will be the role players coming through with timely contributions.

“Somebody has to step up to take the pressure off of Steve,” Driscoll said. “We know Tamir will get his rebounds and Ryan will score. The key for us will be to control their guards and stay out of foul trouble.”

Mansfield has four players averaging double figures with Carr leading the way with a 16.9 point per game average. Providing balance for the Mountaineers are Callahan (15.3), Tony Fannick (10.3) and Chris Pender (10.1), who are all average double figures for the Mountaineers. In the first meeting, Callahan and Carr combined for 51 points. In the second contest at KU, the duo only combined for 26 harmless points. The Mountaineers were 11-3 at home this season.

Callahan was named PSAC East men's basketball player of the week after averaging 29.5 points in a pair of victories last week. He scored 19 of his 30 points in the second half after scoring a then season-high 29 points in a win over Bloomsburg on Wednesday. Mansfield is second in the PSAC in 3-pointers made per game (6.7), third in assists per game (15.4) and third in free-throw percentage (69.4).

Kutztown leads the conference in scoring offense (80.0) and field goal percentage (49.4). The Golden Bears are also fourth in scoring margin (+7.9), field goal percentage defense (40.2) and rebounding margin (+4.3). KU is also third in the conference in blocked shots (4.6)

NOTES: Kutztown is 5-12 all time in the PSAC playoffs.  This is KU's eighth straight and 16th overall appearance in the PSAC tournament.  KU is 4-7 in the playoffs under Driscoll. (2002-03: L, West Chester, 74-66; 2003-04: W, Mansfield, 76-72 & W, California (PA), 91-84 & L, Indiana {PA}, 83-74; 2004-05: L, Mansfield, 95-90; 2005-06: L, Mansfield, 96-73; 2006-07: L, Cheyney,79-63; 2007-08: L, Millersville, 99-88; 2008-09: W, Mansfield, 87-76; W, Slippery Rock, 103-90; L, Gannon, 80-65).

--KU--