KUTZTOWN, Pa. – It would be easy to say that this is just like any other game on the schedule. However, the outcome of Saturday's divisional clash will nudge the winner into first place in the division as we near the midway point of the conference season.
 
The Kutztown University men's basketball team puts its eight-game winning streak on the line on Saturday, Jan. 28 as it takes on Bloomsburg University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup at Nelson Field House.  Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. and live stats can be found by CLICKING HERE.  Bloomsburg will also provide radio coverage and can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.
 
The Golden Bears (12-5 overall, 9-4 PSAC) haven't lost in 2012 and hope they can remain undefeated in divisional play when they square off with the first place Huskies (14-4, 10-3) this weekend.  The two programs have split their meetings over the past two years with KU's last win at Bloomsburg coming in the regular season finale of the 2008-09 season.
 
Despite a four point, 92-88, setback on the road last season, the Nelson Field House played kindly to one Golden Bear in particular.  Senior forward Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) (Richmond, VA/Hill School) simply could not be stopped on his way to a career-high 29 point performance.  He has continued to lead Kutztown on the offensive end this season and hopes to build off another career outing in KU's victory at Mansfield Wednesday night.
 
McBride set a new career-high in scoring with 32 against the Mountaineers to help KU to a 77-65 win.  The outstanding scoring montage has McBride atop the conference at 21 per clip.  He is second in the PSAC in 3-pointers made (49) and fifth in percentage (.438).  He made all five of his free throw attempts Wednesday and is eighth in the conference in percentage at the charity stripe (.843).  
 
Kutztown, the top scoring team in the conference (84.9), has four players in the top 25 while averaging double figures in scoring.  Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) is dropping 18.9 per game and is fourth in the conference.  He is major reason why KU is second in the PSAC in free throw percentage (.773) as the senior guard is second individually in the conference, shooting 87.9 percent.  Along with his ability to get to the rim, Edwards' defensive contributions could play the difference maker come Saturday.
 
Junior guard Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) and senior forward Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) (Chester, PA/West Catholic) are chipping in 15.2 and 13.7 points per game, respectively, for the Golden Bears.  Brennan has risen to the top rebounder in the East, grabbing 9.3 per game.  Fraction leads KU and is ninth in the PSAC with 3.9 assists per game.
 
Bloomsburg will be forced to put its top scoring defense in the East to the test on Saturday.  The Huskies let up 67.6 points per game, a total KU has managed to score more than in every game this season.  Bloom also leads the East in opposing field goal percentage (.428) and is among the leaders in blocked shots (3.9).
 
The Huskies are coming off a thrilling three point win at East Stroudsburg on Wednesday.  Senior center Larry Webster had 16 points with ten rebounds and is Bloom's top rebounder at 7.4 per game.  Dontahe Jordan is the team's top scorer (15.9) and is among the league leaders in field goal percentage (.513) and rebounds (6.1).  Senior guard Trevon Johnson runs the offense for the Huskies and leads the PSAC in assists (6.0).
 
All of Kutztown's victories during its winning streak have come by double digits.  Somebody different has had their moment to shine during the season as the Golden Bears have weapons all over the court that have been difficult to guard.
 
KU returns home after Saturday's pivotal contest.  It takes on Shippensburg University on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at Keystone Arena with tipoff set for 8 p.m.