KUTZTOWN, PA (January 7, 2011) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team travels to Western Pennsylvania this weekend to compete in the second half of this year's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover games. It will face California University of Pa. on Saturday, Jan. 8 and Indiana University of Pa. on Sunday, Jan. 9. Both games are scheduled to tip at 3:00 p.m.
Live stats will be available for both games this weekend. For live stats of Saturday's game against Cal, CLICK HERE. For live stats of Sunday's game against IUP, CLICK HERE
The Golden Bears (6-4 overall) are coming off a pair of home setbacks in their first two crossover games. KU fell 67-57 to Mercyhurst on Monday, and despite a dramatic second-half comeback, dropped a 76-73 decision to Slippery Rock the following night. However, Kutztown saw some great play from two of its seniors. Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) had 17 points and eight rebounds against Mercyhurst, and Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area) had 17 points and was a catalyst in the KU comeback against Slippery Rock.
“We need to be more consistent with our effort,” said head men's basketball coach Bernie Driscoll. “Our shooting percentage was well below our season average the past two games and we need to shoot the ball better if we expect to win.”
Kutztown's defense has shown to be one of its top strengths this season and is ranked in the top half of many categories in the PSAC. KU defends the 3-pointer better than anyone in the conference (.265), and is sixth in the PSAC in both scoring defense (65.5 ppg) and steals per game (9.2). Leading the team in steals are Gray (15) and freshman guard Eric Henry (Harrisburg, PA/Harrisburg) (14).
The Golden Bears will have their hands full this weekend against a pair of teams who rarely lose at home. Kutztown is 5-6 all-time against California and 6-13 all-time against IUP. The IUP contest is a rematch of last year's PSAC championship game where KU fell 89-73. Gray was one of KU's top players as he finished with 22 points. The Crimson Hawks lost in the Division II national title game to Cal. Poly-Pomona last season.
The tandem of Johnson and Gray average over 25 points per game. Johnson is averaging a team-leading 13.3 ppg and has scored 10 or more points in seven of KU's 10 games. Gray is averaging 12.6 per contest and has scored in double figures six times this year. Having these two play well at the same time will be crucial in dictating the team's success this weekend and throughout the remainder of the season.
"Julius showed his true character during the last 15 minutes versus the Rock,” said Driscoll. “He has to be a threat from the perimeter or teams will just play off him and clog our driving lanes.”
Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) has also been playing well as of late. After transferring from Lock Haven, Brennan has quickly found his place in the Kutztown lineup. He is averaging 11.7 ppg and is the team's second highest rebounder, averaging 5.7 per game.
Brennan is one of three transfers on this year's team. Juniors Jermaine Jackson (Blandon, PA/Reading) and Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) are also new faces to the team. Jackson transferred from Rider and has found his way into the starting lineup. He is averaging 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rebounds per game. McBride played his first two games for Kutztown earlier this week after sitting out a semester due to transferring from South Carolina State. He had 10 points off 4-for-6 shooting in Tuesday's game against Slippery Rock.
Looking ahead to the weekend, California (6-3) has dropped two of its last three contests. Their last game was Tuesday night at Bloomsburg where it lost 67-65 in overtime. Junior forward Steve Swiech led the Vulcan's with a season-high 18 points. Over the past three games, Swiech is averaging 14.7 points and 6.0 rebounds. Sophomore guard Quentin Harding had 16 points against the Huskies and is 15th in the PSAC in scoring at 14.4 ppg.
Ranked 20th in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches' (NABC) top 25 poll, IUP (7-3) is coming off a 72-69 loss to Mansfield in their second of four crossover games. Julian Sanders scored a game-high 22 points against the Mounties and is averaging 16.0 ppg. The Crimson Hawks' top scorer is Darryl Webb at 18.1. Ashton Smith is also chipping in 12.7 per game. All three players scored in double figures in last year's PSAC Championship game (10, 12, and 10 respectively).
After playing in this weekend's pair of crossover games, the Golden Bears will travel to Shippensburg on Wednesday, Jan. 13 to begin their PSAC Eastern Division schedule against the Red Raiders. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m.
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