KUTZTOWN, Pa. (February 6, 2011) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team dropped an 87-84 decision to Shippensburg University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division game Sunday afternoon at Keystone Arena (BOXSCORE)
The Golden Bears (13-7 overall, 6-2 PSAC East) still remain in first place in the conference by a game over Mansfield. Steve Coffey (Reading, PA/Wilson) led Kutzown with a career-high 18 points. Eric Henry (Harrisburg, PA/Harrisburg) and Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter), finished with 16 points apiece. Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) contributed 10 points for the Golden Bears, who played without second leading scorer Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area).
However, that balance couldn't help the Golden Bears against the Red Raiders, who literally shot the lights out after intermission. Shippensburg (8-12, 3-5) missed four shots, shot 80 percent (16-for-20) and scored 52 points after intermission to help hand KU its second loss in three games. In the final minute of the game, a bank of lights in Keystone Arena did go out.
Will Royal had a monster game for Shippensburg by scoring 27 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Justin Minter finished with 14 points and Jaren Gembe had 11 points and six assists for the Red Raiders.
Despite, the Red Raiders' torrid shooting and 73-60 advantage with 5 minutes, 41 seconds remaining, Kutztown pulled to within one point on two occasions in the final 90 seconds. Kutztown closed to within, 77-76 with 1:11 remaining following a McBride layup and 85-84 with 14 seconds remaining. Kutztown had two chances to tie the game, but each shot, which looked on-line, hit the rim and bounced off.
After the Golden Bears pulled to within, 77-76, the Red Raiders finished the game by making 10 of their 12 free throws.
It seemed as if the Golden Bears received the lift they needed at the end of the first half. Henry and Jermaine Jackson (Blandon, PA/Reading) combined for the highlight of the game. From just inside halfcourt, Henry floated a beautiful pass to Jackson, who slammed it home with authority to complete an alley-oop that shook Keystone Arena to its core. That gave Kutztown a 37-35 halftime advantage. It was the second straight contest; the Golden Bears ended the first half with a basket.
Kutztown constructed a 33-25 lead with 3:22 remaining in the first half following a pair of Henry foul shots. Shippensburg scored 10 straight points to take a 35-33 with 53 seconds remaining. The Golden Bears made 51.7 percent of their shots in the opening 20 minutes.
The Golden Bears finish their three-game home stand Wednesday night against West Chester. The game tips at 8 p.m.
--KU--
