Box Score



KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Controlling the glass and capitalizing on its trips to the free-throw line were the difference makers as the Kutztown University men's basketball team overpowered California (Pa.), 86-77, Friday night in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover game at Keystone Arena.
 
Kutztown (4-4 overall, 2-3 PSAC) finished with four players in double figures as it earned a much needed victory after dropping its previous two on the road.  KU shot 48 percent from the field, its highest since its opening conference victory over Clarion.  It has won back-to-back games over the Vulcans (5-3, 3-2) who have now dropped three in a row.
 
Senior guard Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) led the Golden Bear attack with a season-high 25 points.  He made a career-high 15 free throws on 18 attempts and was one away from tying the KU school record set in the 2009-10 season.  Edwards battled some foul trouble early on but was a major contributor down the stretch.
 
“Especially against a quality team, this was a great bounce back win for us,” Edwards said.  “We were struggling a little bit so we wanted to come out and make statement. I think tonight showed that if we play hard and work together, the results will come.”
 
Kutztown took a six-point lead into intermission and did not intend to give the Vulcans any opportunities to stage a comeback.  KU opened up with a 13-4 run in the second half to give it a 15-point lead, 52-37, in the opening six-plus minutes.  It led by as many as 19 midway through the second half.
 
KU made 35 of its 41 free-throws Friday, tying a school-record set back in 2007-08 against East Stroudsburg.
 
Senior forward Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) (Chester, PA/West Catholic) had a career-high 13 rebounds as the “Chairman of the Boards” helped KU outrebound Cal, 40-28.  He finished with as many points in the victory for his third double-double in KU's last four games.  Brennan was also 7-for-8 at the line.
 
“The guys really played with a sense of urgency and I think that was the difference,” Brennan said.  “We know that we have to get going and put together wins because that's what good teams do.  They put together wins in row and we have to make the most of these crossover games.”
 
Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) scored a season-high 19 points on 6-for-9 shooting.  He was 5-for-6 from the free-throw line and added a team-high three assists and a pair of 3-pointers.
 
Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) (Richmond, VA/Hill School) rounded out KU's double-digit scorers with 12 points on 3-for-8 shooting.  He was 5-for-6 from the free-throw line and tallied four rebounds.  He helped anchor one of KU's top defensive performances of the season as the senior realizes how hard-nose defense can turn into easy buckets in transition.  
 
“Defense was the key tonight,” McBride said.  “We were able to execute on both ends of the floor, and we have to bring that defensive intensity every night if we expect to win.”
 
Cal was led by Chad Tipton with 18 points on 6-for-14 shooting from the field.  He made a game-high four 3-pointers including three in the opening ten minutes of play.  Travon Vann added 14 points for the Vulcans as C.J. Townes (12 points) and Quentin Harding (10) rounded out the Vulcan double-digit scorers.
 
With crossover games counting towards its overall conference record this season, Friday's victory could go a long way in taking the Golden Bears to its tenth consecutive postseason appearance. 
 
“This gives us a lot of confidence moving forward,” Edwards said.  “We showed a lot of resilience to get this quality win.  The only thing we have to work on is taking care of the ball at the end of games.”
 
Kutztown looks to keep its winning streak alive as it hosts Indiana (Pa.) Saturday afternoon at Keystone Arena beginning at 4 p.m.  KU lost to the Crimson Hawks on the road last season, 74-68.