KUTZTOWN, Pa. (February 11, 2011) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team is so close, yet so far away from the finish line of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division race. There is nothing to do, but to keep playing.
However, there's a maroon-and-gold object appearing a lot closer in the rear-view mirror of Kutztown's advantage. Winners of three of its last four games, Bloomsburg University has found its groove at the perfect time and is very much alive for the regular season crown.
The Huskies (9-12 overall, 5-4 PSAC East) trail the Golden Bears (14-7, 7-2) by a pair of games in the conference standings. The two teams collide for the second time this season Saturday afternoon at Nelson Field House beginning at 3 p.m.
In between Kutztown and Bloomsburg in the standings is Mansfield University, which trails KU by a single game. The Golden Bears hold a three-game edge over Cheyney, Millersville and East Stroudsburg, who are all 4-5 in the PSAC East. Of course, all of these teams remain on Kutztown's schedule, so it will definitely have earned any treats it receives at the end of the journey.
Kutztown defeated Bloomsburg, 89-80, on January 15 at Keystone Arena behind Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area)'s career-high 26 point performance. Both teams come into this contest fresh off victories on Wednesday evening. The Golden Bears edged West Chester, 67-64. Bloomsburg defeated Shippensburg, 94-81.
The Golden Bears aren't worried about the standings; they're just focused on winning their second straight game. They know each win pushes them closer to their goal of qualifying for the PSAC playoffs for a ninth straight season, which would extend the longest streak of any school in the PSAC.
Kutztown has been fueled by a terrific team effort all season. Somebody different has had their moment to shine during the season. One the biggest keys to KU's success have been its ability to fight through adversity. The Golden Bears have weapons all over the court and they have been difficult to guard. Leading scorer Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) attempted three shots against West Chester and KU still found a way to prevail.
Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) led the Golden Bears in scoring against the Golden Rams with 21 points. He drilled a 3-pointer with 31 seconds remaining that gave Kutztown the lead for good. Steve Coffey (Reading, PA/Wilson) scored a career-high 18 points in the setback to Shippensburg. That balance is one reason why the Golden Bears have four players averaging double figures led by Johnson's 15.8 point per game average. Gray and Edwards chip in 12.4 points per game and Brennan contributes 10.2 points.
Kutztown is fifth in the PSAC in scoring offense (76.2) and field goal percentage (46.1). Johnson is ninth in the PSAC scoring and sixth in rebounding (8.8). He's also fifth in field goal percentage (59.0). Coffey leads the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (51.2) and Gray is third in free-throw percentage (89.1).
For Bloomsburg, Dontahe Jordan scored 15 of his team-high 21 points in the first half of its victory over Shippensburg. The Huskies got contributions from their entire starting five as Lorenzo Christmas finished with 20 points. Larry Webster scored 17 points and Trevon Johnson added 16 points along with eight assists. Jesse Betar netted 15 points for the high-scoring Huskies, who shot 62.5 percent against Shippensburg.
The Golden Bears defense will be tested against Bloomsburg. The Huskies have turned the scoreboard into a pinball machine in their last two games, scoring 103 and 94 points, respectively. They scored 103 in a triple overtime loss at Millersville last week. Jordan had 28 points against Millersville. He has averaged 24.5 points in his last two games. He had 21 points and 12 rebounds in the first meeting against KU.
Jordan leads the Huskies in scoring (15.8) and rebounding (9.2). He leads four players in double figures. Johnson chips in 14.5 points per contest. Webster, who leads Bloomsburg with 28 blocks, scores at a 12.4 point per game clip. Christmas contributes 10.4 points per game. The Huskies have won three of the four conference home games.
Kutztown returns home to host Cheyney University. Bloomsburg continues its three-game home stand when it welcomes Mansfield University to its campus. Both games are Wednesday night at 8 p.m.
--KU--
