KUTZTOWN, Pa. (November 18, 2011) – With a pair of non-conference games under its belt, the Kutztown University men's basketball team has learned some things about itself and what it needs to do to succeed this season.  KU moves into the conference portion of its schedule this weekend and is ready to back up its top preseason ranking.
 
Kutztown will host Clarion University in its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opener on Saturday, Nov. 19, beginning at 5 p.m. at Keystone Arena.  KU turns right around to play Gannon University on Sunday, Nov. 20. Tip is set for 3 p.m.
 
The last time KU faced the pair of Western Division opponents was in the 2009-10 season when it experienced some strong success.  KU took down Gannon 75-59 on Jan. 2, 2010, followed by a dominant 98-72 victory over Clarion the next day.
 
The Golden Bears (1-1 overall) are coming off its first setback of the season.  KU dropped a 75-74 decision to Wilmington University Tuesday night and is eager to get back on the floor in hopes of getting off to a good start in conference play this weekend.
 
Kutztown received three first place votes in the PSAC preseason coaches' poll, and is the favorite in the East for the third time in four years.  KU was 9-5 in the Eastern Division last year and made its ninth straight trip to the PSAC playoffs.  Kutztown's playoff streak is the longest of any conference school.
 
Gannon and Clarion were picked third and sixth, respectively. 
 
A change in conference play this season involves the recording of total in-conference games.  For KU, Eastern Division games including crossover games will count towards Kutztown's final conference standings at the end of the regular season.
 
Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) finished with his second double-double of his career against Wilmington.  He had a game-high 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting and brought down ten rebounds.  The senior has led KU in rebounding in both contests this season and is averaging 8.5 per game.  He is also one of four Golden Bears averaging double figures in scoring at 14 per clip.
 
Leading Kutztown in its fast-paced offensive attack is fellow senior Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic).  A PSAC preseason first-team selection, Edwards is averaging 18.5 points per game.  He is shooting 84.6 percent from the free-throw line (11-for-13) and is 44.4 percent from beyond the arc (4-for-9).  Edwards has also been a threat on the defensive end and leads KU with five steals through two games.
 
Junior Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) is also averaging 18.5 points per contest and has brought a quickness and driving ability to the point guard position that Kutztown has not seen in some time.  This week's PSAC East Athlete of the Week had a game-high ten assists in KU's 84-78 victory over Philadelphia University on Nov. 12.  He leads KU with 17 made free-throws and has 11 assists on the season.
 
Senior Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) is part of a quartet of Golden Bears who are each averaging over 34 minutes per contest (Brennan-38.0, Fraction-37.5, McBride-35.0, Edwards-34.5).  The foursome accounts for 68.5 of KU's 79 average points per game.  McBride has become a dual threat for KU in transition as he is able to attack the basket, and be able to stop on a dime and make a timely 3-pointer.  He is averaging 17.5 points per game is leads KU with five 3-pointers.  He is second on the team in rebounding (5.5) and is a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line this season.
 
Clarion (1-2) is coming off a devastating loss on its home floor to non-conference opponent Holy Family on Tuesday.  Paul McQueen had a game-high 25 points on 11-for-18 shooting.  Khiry Hankins added 19 points for the Golden Eagles.  CU won 15 games last season and was 5-9 in the PSAC West. 
 
Gannon will travel to East Stroudsburg on Saturday for its first game of its season before making the trip to Keystone Hall on Sunday.  Like Clarion, Gannon won 15 games in the 2010-11 season. GU finished 6-8 in the West.  In the two teams last meeting, KU's 16-point victory was the first over Gannon in nine tries and was Kutztown head men's basketball coach Bernie Driscoll's 150th career win.
 
Sophomore Stephen Battle is the Golden Knights' top returner this season and was named to the preseason All-PSAC Western Division team.  He averaged 12.6 points per game last season and was second on the team, averaging 6.1 rebounds per contest.
 
Following their jam-packed weekend, the Golden Bears will close their five-game season-opening home stand with a non-conference game against Penn State Berks on Wednesday, Nov. 30.  Tip is set for 7 p.m. KU took down the Lions 90-49 on the road last season behind a Brennan double-double.