KUTZTOWN, PA (January 11, 2011) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team opens its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division schedule Wednesday night as it travels to Shippensburg. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
For live stats of Wednesday night's game, please CLICK HERE.
The Golden Bears (7-5 overall) wrapped up this year's PSAC crossover games last weekend as it went 1-3, defeating California 72-66 on Saturday, Despite the below .500 record, KU took some great strides over the past four games and saw some major improvement out of both its star players as well as its role players on the team.
“We played well this weekend,” said head men's basketball coach Bernie Driscoll. “To get a win at Cal and have the IUP game come down to the final possession is something we can build on going into conference play.”
Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area) and Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) had career games for Kutztown on its weekend road-trip, each scoring 25 points in one of the two games. Gray tied his career-high with 25 against Cal on Saturday, increasing his scoring average to 13.3 points per game this season. The following afternoon, Johnson dropped 25 and nine rebounds against IUP off an impressive 11-of-15 shooting.
Johnson leads the team averaging 14.6 ppg and 8.7 rebounds. He has led the Golden Bears in scoring in five of their 12 games which has been due to his high confidence level shooting outside the paint, and his continuance to get to and cash-in chances at the free-throw line. Johnson will be looking to have another big game Wednesday as he and the rest of the KU squad will be looking for revenge after last year's trip to Heiges Field House.
KU split its season matchup last year against the Red Raiders, with each team winning on their home floor. Ship shot 58 percent from the field and an astonishing 92 percent from the free-throw line to knock off then 16th-ranked KU 87-83 on Feb 20. Forward Will Royal had 17 points and 14 rebounds that game. He is leading Ship in both categories this year, averaging 13.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest.
Shippensburg (5-7 overall) is coming off a 2-2 record in crossover play with its biggest victory coming against previously unbeaten Clarion as the Red Raiders won at home, 69-63.
Kutztown's defense is one of its key strengths heading into conference play. It is currently fourth in the PSAC, allowing 66.2 points per game. That includes a conference-leading .288 opponent 3-point percentage as well. Kutztown's perimeter defense has played strong all year and will look to be a spark in getting the up-tempo KU offense going.
Bringing up the ball for KU and starting the last three games has been sophomore guard Jon DeShields (Chester, PA/Life Center). DeShields is a bigger guard at 6-6, 200 pounds, but can handle the ball very well and is able to get the offense moving in a hurry. Despite averaging just over three points per contest, DeShields has proven to provide Kutztown will some stingy defense and a driving ability on offense that allows the team to get some easy points at crucial spots of the game.
“I feel comfortable running the point with the ball in my hands,” said DeShields. “Coach asks me to get everyone involved and open up our fast-break offense during the game. Playing our style of game at an up-tempo pace is the key to our success, and I feel we showed that last weekend. We're going to bring our 'A' game every night because that's what you need to do to win in the PSAC East.”
After Wednesday night's game, Kutztown will play in its first PSAC East home game this season as it hosts Bloomsburg University. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m.
--KU--
