Box Score



BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – Saturday's showdown for first place in the division certainly lived up to the bill.  In a packed Nelson Field House, the Kutztown University men's basketball team rose victorious, 74-65, over Bloomsburg in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup.
 
It was Kutztown's (13-5 overall, 10-4 PSAC) ninth win in a row with Saturday's victory being the first by single-digits.  The win puts KU atop the Eastern Division as Bloomsburg (14-5, 10-4) suffered its second loss in its last three games.  The win at Bloom was KU's first since the regular season finale of the 2008-09 season.
 
KU senior guard Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) (Richmond, VA/Hill School) led all scorers with his second consecutive 32 point performance.  He was 9-for-18 from the field, made a game-high three 3-pointers, and converted on 11 of his 13 free throw attempts. 
 
McBride played a key role for KU down the stretch on both ends of the floor.  He silenced the crowd with some clutch free throws in the final minute, and successfully guarded Bloom's top player in Dontahe Jordan.  McBride also pulled down six rebounds.
 
“In the past, Devon's really only been asked to score,” KU head coach Bernie Driscoll commented on the defensive play of his senior.  “With our team though, we need him to step up on the defensive end and guard the other team's three-man.  I'm real proud of Devon's play lately and he's been able to do what we've asked of him.”
 
After leading by eight at the break, KU stormed out of the locker room looking to put the Huskies away for good.  Tyler Brooks (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) slammed home a runaway dunk to cap a 10-2 run extending KU's largest lead of the game at 16, 45-29.  Brooks finished with 11 points and was one of KU's main forces on the boards with eight rebounds.
 
The Huskies, however, used some timely offensive rebounds to mount a comeback and eventually tie the game.  Down seven, Bloomsburg's Lorenzo Christmas blew the roof off with a 3-pointer to cut the Golden Bear lead to four at 57-53 with 7:53 to go.  The deep ball ignited a 9-2 run to tie the game (59-59) for the first time since midway through the first half.
 
With a three point play by McBride giving KU the slight advantage, the Huskies had the chance to rally and continue to force Kutztown into making plays.  KU freshman guard Kenny Battle (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep) made one of the biggest plays of his young KU career by coming away with a steal on the defensive end and allowing the Golden Bears to grow their lead and secure the victory.
 
“I thought we went back to things that got us the lead,” Driscoll said on his team coming together after losing a 16-point lead.  “We missed our free throws and missed some layups.  Bloomsburg is a great team with some big shooters and we gave them an opening and next thing you know, we are in a battle.”
 
Turnovers played a large part in the outcome on Saturday.  KU forced 22 turnovers, the second-most of the season, while giving up the ball just 14 times.  More importantly, KU capitalized on Bloomsburg's mistakes and finished with 23 points off turnovers.  The stifling defensive front made Bloomsburg run off most of the shot clock as KU's defensive game plan proved to be the answer.
 
KU senior guard Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) dropped 15 and made all four of his free throw attempts.  Edwards has been a leader on the court all season and despite fouling out with 2:59 to go, KU's other players rose to the occasion and kept its composure down the stretch.
 
“Especially late in the game, we did a real good job of finding ways to win,” McBride said.  “I think our bench guys did a great job of stepping in for us, and this win tonight is a testament to them.”
 
All but four points came from KU's starting five.  Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) and Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) (Chester, PA/West Catholic) each chipped in six points as Brennan led the game with 12 rebounds.
 
The Golden Bears began to build some separation late in the first half.  Capped with a Jayson Johnson (Columbus, NJ/Life Center Academy) (Columbus, NJ/Life Center Academy) layup, KU built a 9-2 run to take a 30-19 lead with 3:41 remaining in the half.  Brooks sank just his fifth 3-pointer of the season to give KU a 35-27 lead at the break.
 
The Huskies were led by senior center Larry Webster who had 13 points and eight rebounds.  Christmas scored 11 with a pair of 3-pointers, while Jordan finished with nine points and eight rebounds.  Overall, BU won the battle of the boards, 38-32.
 
KU has now succeeded in back-to-back road contests.  The Golden Bears return home on Wednesday, Feb. 1 to take on Shippensburg University for a PSAC East contest beginning at 8 p.m. at Keystone Arena.  KU split its series with Ship last season with each team winning on the road.