Box Score



KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Senior guard Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) has had a storied career with the Kutztown University men's basketball team.  He's created six years' worth of chapters in his time at KU and added one more Friday night.  

Edwards scored a career-high 29 points including the 1,000th of his career against the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia to lead KU to an overpowering 95-72 victory in a non-conference matchup at Keystone Arena.  He continued his success against the Devils as Kutztown (5-5) earned its third double-digit victory in its final non-conference game of the season.  Edwards overtook his previous career-high by two points, which he set in KU's road victory over the Sciences last season. 
 
He became the programs 22nd player to reach the 1,000-point mark and has become one of the top guards in the conference.  Achieving the milestone was no mystery to fans in attendance as Edwards' family and friends supported him with commemorative t-shirts noting the accomplishment.  Edwards shot 9-for-18 from the field including 4-for-9 from 3-point range and a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. He also added five rebounds and four assists.
 
“We played the way we were supposed to play tonight,” Edwards said.  “We're a great team when we share the ball and play together, and I think tonight was a great example of that.”
 
Kutztown found itself in a back and forth matchup with Sciences early on.  Each team was able to build a credible run and rely on its top players.  Fortunately for the Golden Bears, a late run in the final minutes of the first half helped build an 11-point advantage at intermission.  KU's starting five didn't waste any time coming out of the locker room at halftime and used a variety of short and long range shooting to open with an 18-2 run.   
 
Senior forward Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) (Chester, PA/West Catholic) was one of Kutztown's most efficient players on the floor Friday night and nearly achieved a legendary accomplishment of his own.  With outstanding play in the second half, he neared closer and closer to a triple-double before finishing with 15 points, along with a team-high nine rebounds and seven assists. 
 
Friday night's non-conference clash was KU's first live action in nearly three weeks.  However, it responded with a dominant performance on both ends of the floor.
 
“I was impressed with the way the guys opened the game tonight,” head coach Bernie Driscoll commented on KU's 20-day layoff.  “As a coach, you're not too sure of how a team will react to that, but our guys were able to get us in front early and helped set the tempo in our favor.” 
 
All five of KU's starters finished in double figures in scoring.  Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) (Richmond, VA/Hill School) dropped 17 points, 12 of which coming in the first half.  He shot 7-for-13 from the field and had three 3-pointers in the victory.  Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) and Tyler Brooks (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) each added 11 points.
 
KU's bench saw quality minutes and was able to hold onto the substantial lead.  Kenny Battle (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) and Abdul King (Philadelphia, PA/Constitution) each saw double-digit minutes on the floor and gave the Golden Bears a determined defensive front.
 
“I was very happy with the play of some of our younger kids tonight,” Driscoll said.  “Our bench gave us some tough minutes, but we are still working on putting together a good 40 minutes of team basketball.”
 
The Devils (1-8) were led by their freshman forward Garret Kerr. He dropped 23 points with a game-high 18 rebounds including 11 in the first half.  Kerr was limited to just six points in the second half, largely due to the play of Battle and King.  Henry Messinger had 18 points on 8-for-16 shooting with a pair of 3-pointers.  Also scoring in double figures were Myer Messinger (12) and Tyrone Mann-Barnes (10).
 
The key to Kutztown's victory was its ability to hang onto the ball and play at the high-pace it is accustom to.  It had 22 assists to just 13 turnovers, compared to USP's 18 turnovers.  KU also shot 59 percent from the field including an impressive 65.5 percent in the second half.  It was 12-for-15 (80%) from the free-throw line and entered the game leading Division II in free-throw percentage.
 
It was a great night for fans of the maroon-and-gold, and was a major shot in the arm for the Golden Bears.  From Edwards etching his name in the school record books, to the team turning in an all-around terrific performance, Kutztown has created the recipe for success looking forward.
 
“Without even looking at basketball, Nate has accomplished so much in his time here,” Driscoll said.  “There were so many times when he could have just packed it in.  He just overcame a lot of obstacles and to have the attitude that he has, you understand why his teammates love him so much and he is going to be special in whatever he decides to do after Kutztown.”
 
The Golden Bears return to action on Friday, January 6 for its final conference crossover weekend.  It travels to Edinboro University as tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.