KUTZTOWN, Pa. (November 14, 2011) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team gets the chance to gain on some newfound momentum Tuesday evening as it hosts Wilmington University in a non-conference matchup at Keystone Arena.  Tip is set for 7 p.m.
 
Tuesday's showdown marks the second of five straight home games to open the season for KU.  The Golden Bears had their six-game winning streak against the Wildcats snapped last season as they dropped a 62-59 decision on the road.  The loss also ended a 19-game non-conference winning streak.
 
Kutztown (1-0) will look to put that game in the past, however, and build off a dramatic come-from-behind, season-opening victory on Saturday night.  After being down by as many as 12 in the second half, KU had many of its role players step up to the challenge and bring its team back to a sensational 84-79 victory.
 
Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) had a double-double in his Golden Bear debut earning him this week's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Athlete of the Week.  The junior transfer from Baltimore County Community College displayed his ability to run the floor and attack the basket as he went 11-for-14 from the charity stripe, including six of KU's seven in the final minute.  Fraction dropped 18 points to go along with a game-high ten assists.
 
Freshman Mike John (East Stroudsburg, PA/East Stroudsburg North) made the most of his time on the floor Saturday and was a major catalyst in KU's comeback.  John handled himself with a confidence that the Rams simply could not stop.  In his 18 minutes on the floor, John dropped 14 points off 5-of-6 shooting.  He had four 3-pointers, three of which coming in a 21-8 KU run midway through the second half.
 
“Mike did an outstanding job on Saturday night,” head men's basketball coach Bernie Driscoll said.  “He didn't act like it was his first collegiate basketball game.  We know that he is an offensive threat, but he also defended well during the game.”
 
Kutztown had four players in double figures, led by senior guard Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic).  He finished with 23 points and was able to make a big basket and find his way to the free throw line whenever the team needed him to.  He went 8-for-11 from the free throw line and 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.  Edwards averaged 12.7 points per clip last season and has already seemed to have successfully taken on his senior leadership role.
 
Fellow seniors Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) and Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) each showcased their abilities in the victory.  McBride had 19 points with three 3-pointers and was able to create his own shot on more than one occasion.  Brennan grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and showed a strong back to the basket game, as well as a quick and powerful driving ability to the basket.
 
Wilmington (0-1) also had four players in double figures in its season opener, but dropped an 86-65 decision to Delaware State University last Saturday.  WU was led by junior forward Brandon Fox, who netted a team-high 16 points and pulled down six rebounds. Sophomore guard Herb Dennis added 14, while senior guard Corye Payton chipped in 11. Senior guard Matt King had 10 points and five rebounds for the Wildcats.
 
Despite the opening win for KU, Driscoll knows his team still has a lot to work on to get to the level of play he knows his group of capable of.
 
“This game will present other challenges to us that we did not encounter with Philly,” Driscoll said.  “They are very quick at the guard position which will present us some problems.  I expect a very good and hard fought contest.”
 
Following its face-off with Wilmington, Kutztown hosts Clarion in its PSAC opener at Keystone Arena on Saturday, Nov. 19 beginning at 5 p.m.