KUTZTOWN, Pa. (February 18, 2011) – If Kutztown and East Stroudsburg produce the kind of drama they have in their last three meetings, then fans will be in a for a treat when these two heavyweights collide Saturday afternoon at Koehler Fieldhouse in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division game. Tip-off is at 3 p.m. and fans can follow with LIVE STATS
The last three games between KU and ESU have been decided by a grand total of eight points. Each game has tilted in Kutztown's favor. The Golden Bears won the first meeting, 85-82, at Keystone Arena on Jan. 22. Last season, Kutztown handed ESU two of its six defeats, winning 87-84 at Keystone and 61-59 at Koehler Fieldhouse in a wild contest. Overall, Kutztown has won four straight in the series.
Both teams enter this contest focused on making the playoffs. Of course, Kutztown (15-8 overall, 8-3 PSAC East) is in a better position than East Stroudsburg (12-11, 5-6). The Golden Bears need one win in their final three games to secure a playoff spot for the ninth straight season. However, Kutztown just wants to keep pace with East co-leader Mansfield (16-7, 8-3), who hosts Shippensburg.
The Warriors are in a three-way tie with Millersville and Cheyney for fourth place. West Chester and Shippensburg are also still alive for a playoff spot as the East heads into its homestretch.
Kutztown edged Cheyney, 82-80, in its last outing Wednesday night when Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) scored with 2 seconds remaining. Johnson and Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) led the Golden Bears with 20 points each. Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) and Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) finished with 19 points each for Kutztown. The Golden Bears also shot 50 percent in their victory over Cheyney.
Meanwhile, East Stroudsburg lost 76-69 at Millersville despite 17 points each from Will Brown and Mike Tobin. It was ESU's second loss to the Marauders this season. Micah Covert finished with 11 points for the Warriors, who were picked to win the East in the preseason coaches' poll.
In the first meeting between the two teams, Kutztown had five players reach double figures. Nate Edwards hit some huge shots in the second half to finish with a team-high 18 points. Steve Coffey had 17 points. Tamir Johnson muscled his way inside for his fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Julius Gray scored nine of his 12 points in the final six minutes. Jermaine Jackson added 11 points along with a pair of blocked shots.
The Warriors got a career-high 20 points from Micah Covert and 18 points from Will Brown. Terrance King added 11 points for East Stroudsburg, which made 12 3-pointers. East Stroudsburg led 67-66 late in the second half.
This year, Kutztown has used balance to challenge for the PSAC East title. Five players average double figures for the Golden Bears led by Johnson's 16.1 point per game average. Edwards (12.8 points per game), Gray (11.5), Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) (10.5) and Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) (10.5) have all contributed something special during this season. McBride has averaged 24 points in Kutztown's last two games.
East Stroudsburg has been paced most of the season by the brilliance of sophomore Duane Johnson. He leads the team in scoring (12.4 points per game). Tobin (11.4) and Terrance King (10.6) also average double figures for the Warriors. Tobin is ESU's leading rebounder at 6.3 per game. Brown leads ESU with 41 3-pointers and he averages 9.0 points per game.
Both teams return to action Wednesday night when they start the final week of the 2010-11 regular season. Kutztown visits Mansfield University in a contest beginning at 7:30 p.m. while ESU hosts Bloomsburg starting at 8 p.m.
