KUTZTOWN, PA (January 3, 2011) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team dropped a 67-57 decision to Mercyhurst College Monday night in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover match at Keystone Arena. (BOXSCORE)

In their first game in nearly a month, the Golden Bears tried to tie their longest winning streak of the season at three, but were unable due to a highly athletic Mercyhurst team.

Kutztown (6-3 overall) was led by Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) who was one of three KU players in double figures.  Johnson finished with 17 points off 7-for-9 shooting, including 3-for-5 from the free-throw line.  This was his third consecutive game with 10 or more points.  Johnson also had a team-high eight rebounds.

Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) has continued to see his minutes increase since his career game earlier this season against University of the Sciences (27 points).  He started his third consecutive game on Monday and finished with 14 points.
 

Also scoring 14 points for the Golden Bears was junior Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic).  Coming off the bench for the first time this season, Brennan adjusted well to his new role.  He shot 60% from the field and pulled down four rebounds. 

Despite outrebounding the Lakers 40-37, Kutztown's 24 turnovers prevented them from taking advantage of any opportunities that came their way.  Mercyhurst (8-1 overall) also had three players in double figures.  Heiden Ratner led the team with 15 points, followed by Luis Leao who had 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Shelton Jackson with 13 points.

“I thought we were very well prepared for them,” said head men's basketball coach Bernie Driscoll.  “Mercyhurst just wanted this game more than we did tonight.  They are a very athletic team and there's a reason they are 8-1.  We put ourselves in a position at the end to take advantage of some missed (Mercyhurst) free throws, but we can't expect to come back when we let up offensive rebounds and turnover the ball.”

Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) played in his first game as a Golden Bear Monday night after transferring from South Carolina State.  He finished with four points and seven rebounds.

Kutztown played the first of four crossover matches it will encounter this week as it will go up against Slippery Rock tomorrow night beginning at 8:00 p.m. It will then travel out West to play California (PA) on Saturday January 8th, and Indiana (PA) on Sunday January 9th.  Both weekend games are set to tip at 3:00 p.m.

--KU--