Box Score




ERIE, Pa. (December 5, 2011) – All five starters scored in double figures for Kutztown University, but Mercyhurst defended its home court in an 84-73 final in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference men's basketball.

Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) paced the Golden Bears (3-3, 1-2 PSAC) with 20 points in the contest, hitting 8-of-13 field goals.  McBride hit both Kutztown threes in the contest on his way to his fourth straight game of at least 20 points.  Tyler Brooks (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) turned in a double-double with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting and grabbed 14 rebounds.  Both totals were career-highs for the sophomore. 

Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) matched Brooks' 14 points, thanks in large part to a 10-of-11 performance at the foul line, and had four steals.  Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) added 13 points and Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) tallied a dozen points to go along with four assists.

The Golden Bears scored the game's first five points, but that was the biggest lead for either team in the opening 20 minutes.  The first half featured seven lead changes and 10 ties as the teams fittingly entered the intermission deadlocked at 37-37. 

McBride and Edwards scored 11 points apiece in the opening half as the Golden Bears shot 50 percent from the floor.

In the second half, KU hit its first three field goals to build a 44-37 lead just a minute and a half after play resumed.  The Lakers, however, slowly chipped away at the lead before a three by Andrew Rickard tied the score at 47-47 with 12:53 to go.  Mercyhurt (4-1, 3-0 PSAC) then used a 10-2 run later in the half to claim a 70-59 lead with 5:44 remaining after a lay in by Luis Leao.

The Golden Bears pulled to within three on several occasions down the stretch, but could get no closer.

Leao led all players with 23 points in the contest.  Rickard came off the bench for 15 points and Matt Lee added 11 points.  Both Rickard and Lee hit three threes, while Leo and Rickard were among four Lakers with five rebounds.

Both teams shot well from the free throw line in the game.  Kutztown hit 21-of-26, including 11-of-12 in the second half, to finish the game at 81 percent.  Mercyhurst, meanwhile, went 22-of-28 (79 percent).

The Golden Bears will look to get back in the win column with a PSAC Crossover game at Slippery Rock on Sunday, December 4.  Tip off against The Rock, who lost to East Stroudburg 64-55 Saturday, is set for 3:00 PM.