Box Score



KUTZTOWN, Pa. (November 20, 2011) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team nearly overcame a double-digit halftime deficit, but was unable to take the final leap as it dropped an 80-79 decision to Gannon University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game Sunday afternoon at Keystone Arena.  (BOXSCORE)
 
The Golden Bears (2-2 overall, 1-1 PSAC) showed a strong adversity in responding to a 15-point halftime deficit.  Sunday's PSAC crossover game came down to the final possession as Kutztown was left with just over five seconds to go the length of the floor for the potential game-winning basket.  Senior Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) got the call for KU and hoisted a 3-pointer that just rimmed off and was unable to capture KU's second conference victory.
 
Kutztown had three chances prior to its final possession to take over with more time on the clock, but was unable to grab a defensive rebound.  Gannon (1-1, 1-1) missed four consecutive free throws in the final minute but continued to eat up the clock and give itself additional opportunities to add onto its lead by tracking down offensive rebounds.
 
It was a tale of two half's on Sunday.  The opening 20 minutes was highlighted by 33 team fouls and a fantastic shooting performance by GU as emotions ran high right from the opening tip.  A number of Golden Bears found themselves in foul trouble early on and forced Kutztown head men's basketball coach Bernie Driscoll to go deep into his bench a little sooner than he would have liked.
 
KU went to the free-throw line 25 times in the first half but was unable to stop the outside attack of the Golden Knights, who shot 19-for-31 (61.3%) including 6-for-8 (75%) from 3-point range in the opening period.
 
The Golden Bear defense significantly raised their defensive play coming out of halftime and was able to turn GU turnovers into fast-break, open floor buckets.  After suffering an injury in the opening two minutes of the game, Edwards helped lead the second-half charge with nine points in an 11-2 KU run to cut the lead to two points at 62-60 with 8:38 remaining.  Edwards finished with 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting including a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.  He also chipped in three assists.
 
The starting five for Kutztown all finished in double figures and each played a substantial role in getting KU back into the game.  Senior Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) has now led Kutztown in scoring in back-to-back games.  He dropped 22 points against Gannon and made a game-high four 3-pointers and six free-throws.  McBride also grabbed six rebounds.
 
Sophomore Tyler Brooks (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) played a crucial role in keeping KU possessions alive with offensive rebounds and elevating his play on the defensive end with two steals and two blocks.  He finished with a career-high ten points and made all five of his field goal attempts.  Brooks had a team-high seven rebounds and played 36 minutes, the most of his career.
 
Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) and Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) also reached double figures in KU's setback.  Fraction finished with 13 points and five assists.  Brennan was plagued by foul trouble in the first half and finished with 12 points and three rebounds including 6-for-7 shooting at the foul line.
 
Gannon was led by Darrell Blanton who finished with 24 points on 10-for-15 shooting including four free-throws and a game-high nine rebounds.  Adam Blazek scored 16 points for the Golden Knights and made a pair of 3-pointers in GU's first conference win of the season.    
 
The Golden Bears have a 10-day layoff until they next return to action.  KU will host Division III opponent Penn State Berks on Wednesday, Nov. 30 in a non-conference game set to begin at 7 p.m.