KUTZTOWN, Pa. (January 14, 2011) – The Kutztown University men's basketball squad returns home to meet Bloomsburg University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division matinee Saturday afternoon beginning at 3 p.m. CLICK TO FOLLOW LIVE STATS

 

The Golden Bears (8-5 overall, 1-0 PSAC East) will look to rediscover their winning formula in the friendly confines of Keystone Arena after dropping consecutive home games for the first time since Feb. 2007. Overall, Kutztown has compiled an impressive 31-3 record at home since the beginning of the 2008-09 season.

 

The Golden Bears are motivated to begin another home winning streak when they host the Huskies, who have not won at Kutztown since claiming a 70-61 victory on Jan. 23, 2002.

 

Kutztown lost a pair of crossover contests to Mercyhurst and Slippery Rock last week. However, since those setbacks, the Golden Bears have won of their last three games including Wednesday's PSAC East opener at Shippensburg, 84-75. Bloomsburg (5-8, 1-0) enters the game fresh off of a 91-87 victory over Millersville in overtime.

 

Even though the Golden Bears are playing better basketball, they know winning at home is the secret to qualifying for the PSAC playoffs for a ninth straight season.

 

“I was upset that we lost those home games because of the recent history of success at home that we've had,” Kutztown senior forward Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) said. “Now, we have put those games behind us and now we're focused on the conference games because this is a new season. We definitely feel some type away about losing at home.”

 

Kutztown has rebounded with road victories at California, Pa. and Shippensburg sandwiched around a close defeat at 20th-ranked Indiana, Pa. In the win over Shippensburg, Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) paced the Golden Bears with 16 points. Johnson was solid with 14 points and eight rebounds. Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) and Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area) scored 13 points each. Steve Coffey (Reading, PA/Wilson) supplied 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jermaine Jackson (Blandon, PA/Reading) added 10 points as KU's balance carried them past the Red Raiders.

 

“I didn't realize we had that many players in double figures,” Johnson said. “I was just happy that we were able to win the game. That's great that we had that type of balanced scoring. Truthfully, it should be like that every game. We're definitely getting a feel for each other and now we have a set rotation. That should make us stronger as the season goes along.”

 

The Golden Bears and Huskies split their matchups last season. Bloomsburg beat Kutztown, 70-58 at Nelson Fieldhouse. The Golden Bears defeated Bloomsburg, 75-68, on the final day of the regular season to claim the last PSAC East playoff spot.

 

Bloomsburg received a career-high 25 point performance from Lorenzo Christmas in the win over Millersville. John Schwartz claimed a double-double (20 points, 11 rebounds). Larry Webster and Trevon Johnson scored 11 points each for the Huskies against the Marauders. Dontahe Jordan added 13 points off the bench.

 

Webster, who leads the PSAC in field goal percentage, and Jordan are the Huskies' top scorers. They are averaging 13.9 points per contest. Also scoring in double figures for Bloomsburg is Johnson (12.8 points per game).

 

“We have to continue to play unselfishly and distribute the ball,” Kutztown University head men's basketball coach Bernie Driscoll said. “We have to be ready to play hard because every game from here on out is going to be a battle. I like how we've been playing as a team since the second half of the Slippery Rock game.”