Box Score



KUTZTOWN, Pa. (November 15, 2011) – Tuesday night's men's basketball non-conference matchup between Kutztown University and Wilmington University came down to the final possession.  After a possible game-winning shot rattled off the rim, KU found itself on the wrong side of a 75-74 decision at Keystone Arena.  (BOXSCORE)
 
Senior forward Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) had a game-high in points and rebounds in Kutztown's setback.  In his second double-double of his KU career, Brennan dropped 19 points to go along with ten rebounds.  He was 7-for-11 from the field along with 4-for-6 from the free throw line. 
 
Kutztown (1-1) again proved it can overcome an early deficit, as it did in its season-opener against Philadelphia.  The Golden Bears scored six unanswered points coming out of intermission to tie the game for the fifth time of the night.
 
Heading into the final minutes, both teams put together meaningful runs to keep the game within a possession and keep fans on their feet.  The Golden Bears went down battling on their home floor. 
 
Trailing 75-73, Kutztown fought itself to the free throw on numerous occasions but were only able to convert on one of four attempts.  KU had one last attempt at victory as it took over on a Wilmington missed free throw with eight seconds to go.  Coming out of a timeout, newcomer Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) got the play call from head men's basketball coach Bernie Driscoll.  Fraction was able to create his own shot from beyond the 3-point arc, but was unable to lift Kutztown to its second consecutive victory.
 
“We had a good lead late in the game and we weren't able to hold on,” Driscoll said.  “We did some good things tonight, but we need to play better defense and better as a team going forward.”
 
Fraction, this week's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Athlete of the Week, finished with 19 points including 6-for-8 from the charity stripe.  He was also second on the team with five rebounds.
 
The junior's pair of free throws with 8:29 to go seemed to give Kutztown a comfortable eight-point lead at 63-55.  The Wildcats (1-1) responded by scoring nine straight points in less than two minutes to give them the 66-65 advantage.
 
Kutztown seniors Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) and Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) scored in double figures for the second time in as many games.  McBride finished with 16 points including two 3-pointers and a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line.  Edwards was 5-for-10 from the field for 14 points to go along with a team-high three assists and two steals.
 
The Wildcats were led by James Pee with 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting.  He had five 3-pointers with four rebounds and three assists.  Matthew King and Herbert Dennis each dropped 16 points and were a combined 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
 
Kutztown enters PSAC play this weekend as it hosts Clarion University on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. and Gannon on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m.  This year, all crossover games will count towards KU's conference record.