KUTZTOWN, Pa. (January 2, 2011) – The Kutztown University women's basketball team's formula for success through its first eight games has been pretty simple: Play good defense and finish on the positive side of the hyphen at the conclusion of games. That plan has worked perfectly five times this season for the Golden Bears.

 

In the other three games – all losses, Kutztown's opponents have made over 43 percent of their shots. The Golden Bears struggled with their defense during their 74-70 defeat to Philadelphia University Thursday afternoon at Keystone Arena. Kutztown allowed Philadelphia to make a season-high 45.8 percent of its shots.

 

With Kutztown (5-3 overall) about to enter the fun part of its schedule, the Golden Bears are looking forward to getting back on track in a pair of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover contests against Mercyhurst College (5-6) on Monday, Jan. 2, and Slippery Rock University (1-7) on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Keystone Arena. Both games begin at 6 p.m. and fans can follow all the action by CLICKING HERE for live stats.

 

This is the second all-time meeting between Mercyhurst and Kutztown since a 58-56 KU victory in 1990. Meanwhile, the Golden Bears have beat Slippery Rock two straight times to improve their all-time record against the Rock to 5-10. Kutztown claimed a 66-51 victory on Nov. 15, 2008 in the last matchup against Slippery Rock.

 

Scoring hasn't been a problem for the Golden Bears, who are averaging a healthy 78.0 points per game. Kutztown has scored 80 or more points in all five of its victories. Veteran head coach Janet Malouf knows the secret to getting the Golden Bears back in the win column and into the PSAC playoffs for the third straight season.

 

“We have to defend,” Malouf said. “We have to make stops on their good players and not let anyone else out of the bag.  I think we are capable of scoring with them, but we need to rebound and limit them to one shot and play better defense.”

 

Offensively, the Golden Bears feature a formidable lineup led by senior forward Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler)'s team-leading 15.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest. Freshman Andrea Sisson (Richmond, VA/Godwin) contributes 10 points per outing. Sophomore Ashley Wood (Limerick, PA/Spring-Ford) (9.9 points per game), sophomore Steph Zewe (Lewistown, PA/Indian Valley) (8.9) and senior Kristen Murray (Harrisburg, PA/Trinity) (8.5) all have had some nice moments this season for KU.

 

Murray tied her career high with 21 points in KU's last contest against Philadelphia. McQuade had her first double-double of the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds as continues her assault on the all-time Kutztown scoring and rebounding record. She enters the game with 1,291 points and 793 rebounds. She has scored in double figures 68 times in her sterling career.

 

Mercyhurst snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating Urbana, 73-47, in its last game on Dec. 15. Kaylee Foster led the led the Lakers' offense with 18 points and four assists while Nikki Frederickson added 12 points and pulled in five boards. Defensively, senior Amy Achesinski tallied nine rebounds and blocked three shots while scoring nine. Senior guard Samantha Loadman was also in double digits for the Lakers, scoring 11.

 

Achesinski has been a quadruple-threat for the Lakers as she leads Mercyhurst in scoring (17.9 points per game), rebounding (9.0), assists (35), and blocked shots (11). Loadman chips in 11.1 points per contest for the Lakers. Dana Banda has contributed 8.8 points per game and is second on the team with 34 assists. The Lakers average 63.5 points per contest.

 

Meanwhile, the Rock has struggled this season. Slippery Rock dropped a 60-52 decision to Seton Hill College in its last outing Thursday afternoon. Four players scored in double figures for SRU, led by Shannon Lee with 13 points. She also pulled down six rebounds and handed out four assists. Danielle Smith added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Alex Beatty and Sherita Stanley added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

 

Overall this season, Smith has led SRU in scoring four times this season. She is the Rock's leading scorer (12.1 points per game) and rebounder (7.9). Alex Beatty is the Rock's only other double digit scorer (11.0). She leads the Rock with 17 made 3-pointers this season. The Rock has scored 60 or more points three times this season.

 

In the Rock's only victory this season, a 67-64 victory over Notre Dame, Ohio on Dec. 11, Smith scored 17 points and 13 rebounds. Shannon Lee had a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists. Sherita Stanley added 15 points along with nine rebounds. Marlynda Harland scored 14 points.

 

“We need to run and score in transition as well,” Malouf said.  “That should help with putting some points up when we are struggling from the floor. These are important games for us when preparing for the PSAC East games and possibly having to play these teams in playoffs.”

 

Kutztown hits the road this weekend to complete its PSAC crossover schedule by visiting California, Pa Saturday afternoon and Indiana, Pa Sunday afternoon. Both games begin at 1 p.m.

 

--KU--