MANSFIELD, Pa. (February 23, 2011) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team placed four players in double figures during its 86-74 loss to Mansfield University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division game Wednesday night at Decker Gym BOXSCORE
Despite the defeat, Kutztown (15-10 overall, 7-6 PSAC East) is still in position to earn a home game as a No. 2 seed when the playoffs commence Tuesday night if it beat Millersville. Mansfield (18-7, 8-3) will enter the PSAC playoffs as the No. 1 seed after winning the PSAC East title. Kutztown will have to settle for splitting the season series with Mansfield.
Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) led the Golden Bears with 16 points. Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) added 15 points and Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area) connected for 12 points. Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) finished with 11 points for the Golden Bears, who led for the first 14 minutes of the game.
“This was a tough loss, but we just have to put it behind us and get ready for our next game,” Gray said. “We still have a chance to host a playoff game so that's our focus now. We are looking to finish strong on Saturday.”
Mansfield was led by its one-two combination of Yuseff Carr and Derrison Anthony, the last two PSAC East Players of the Week. Carr led all scorers with 21 points and seven rebounds. Anthony had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocked shots. Josh Dupay came off the bench and energized the Mountaineers with 16 points. Tony Fannick scored 10 points and Kyle Bradley pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.
Kutztown looked strong early in building a 22-14 lead following a McBride jumper with 12 minutes, 1 second remaining in the opening half. To that point, Kutztown had done a great job of swinging the ball and getting open shots. Even when Steve Coffey (Reading, PA/Wilson) made a 3-pointer to give KU a 25-18 lead with 8:50 remaining, there was no hint of any impending trouble for the Golden Bears.
The Mountaineers closed the half by outscoring Kutztown, 30-12 to open a 10-point lead at intermission. Carr's old-fashioned 3-point play gave Mansfield its first lead of the game, 26-25, with 6:10 remaining in the game. Kutztown never led again. The Golden Bears eventually found themselves down, 49-34, early in the second half before they displayed their trademark fighting spirit and got back in the game.
Kutztown closed to within six points on a few occasions in the second half at 51-45 (13:22 remaining), and 71-65 (5:39). The second time KU got within six points, it had two chances to cut into Mansfield's lead. Unfortunately it was not meant to be as the Golden Bears had a turnover and a missed layup. Mansfield eventually capitalized and stretched its lead.
“We got the game down to six with about five minutes left and we didn't have good possessions after that,” Kutztown head coach Bernie Driscoll said. “We need to play better defense and better as a team going forward. “
The Golden Bears will look to finish the regular season strong when they host Millersville Saturday afternoon beginning at 3 p.m. Prior to the game, Coffey, Gray and Johnson will be honored and saluted for their efforts during their careers. They have helped enhanced the sterling reputation of Kutztown basketball.
The Kutztown-Millersville game will be broadcast live on KUTV.
