KUTZTOWN, Pa. (January 15, 2011) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team used a late burst to overcome a brief deficit and defeat Bloomsburg University, 89-80, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division contest Saturday afternoon at Keystone Arena (BOXSCORE)

 

The Golden Bears (9-5 overall, 2-0 PSAC East) had four players reach double figures highlighted by Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area)'s career-high 26 points. Gray's previous career high was 25 points in games against Wilmington and California, Pa. this season. The senior sharpshooter was 10-for-16 from the field, 4-of-8 from 3-point distance, and 2-for-2 from the foul line. Gray scored early and often for Kutztown.

 

“It definitely feels good to score this many points in a win,” Gray said. “I was fortunate today that my shots were going in. My teammates played a big part in helping me have the afternoon I had today. We were just focused on getting another conference win because every game is a battle.”

 

Gray had plenty of help. Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) continued his sterling performances by scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) scored 16 points and Jermaine Jackson (Blandon, PA/Reading) added 14 points for the Golden Bears. Eric Henry (Harrisburg, PA/Harrisburg) handed out a team-high six assists.

 

Bloomsburg (5-9, 1-1) which led twice in the final five minutes, got a double-double (21 points, 12 rebounds, both game highs) from Dohtahe Jones. Trevon Johnson and Lorenzo Christmas were a major nuisance for the Golden Bears and their fans. Both players finished with 19 points. Johnson scored 15 of his points in the second half for the Huskies, who rallied from a 16-point first half deficit.

 

However, in the end, the energetic and electric play of Henry along with the clutch shot making of Brennan proved to be the difference. Johnson gave Kutztown the lead for good, 74-73, after sinking a pair of foul shots with 3 minutes, 44 seconds remaining. The Golden Bears turned up the defensive pressure and Henry dished three assists on consecutive KU possessions.

 

“A win like this gives us confidence,” Henry said. “We know that every team in the conference is good and that they are going to make runs. We just had to stay patient and play Kutztown basketball. I knew late in the game, we had to push the ball and it was my job to find my teammates and give them the ball in the right spots.”

 

Henry threaded a beautiful pass to Jackson for a layup that gave Kutztown a 76-73 lead with 3:23 left. Following a missed shot, Henry dropped a beautiful dime to Johnson, who sank a short 10-foot baseline jumper that expanded the Golden Bears' advantage to 78-73 with 2:59 remaining.

 

“We liked the tempo of the game today except for when Bloomsburg made their run,” Gray said. “It feels good to get a win after we lost a large lead. Really though, late in the game, we stepped up our defense and that made the difference for us.”

 

After the Huskies took their final lead of the game, 73-72, following a John Schwartz jumper with 4:52 remaining, Kutztown's defense forced four turnovers and allowed BU two baskets.

 

However, for a while, it didn't appear as if this game would become a pulse-pounder because of the Golden Bears' first-half show. Kutztown's offense flowed in the opening 20 minutes with ease like lyrics to a rap song. The defense was suffocating. The execution was flawless.

 

Kutztown capped a crowd-pleasing 24-10 burst during a breathtaking eight-minute stretch with consecutive layups from Steve Coffey (Reading, PA/Wilson), Gray and Brennan that had Keystone Arena rocking. By the time the damage was done, the Golden Bears had a 44-28 advantage with 61 seconds remaining in the first half.

 

“We're happy with the win, but we know we have to continue to get better each time we take the court,” Gray said. “This was another step in the right direction for us as a team.”

 

The Golden Bears return to action Wednesday night when they visit Hollinger Fieldhouse to take on West Chester University beginning at 8 p.m. West Chester dropped an 82-69 decision to East Stroudsburg Saturday afternoon.

 

--KU--