Box Score



WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Kutztown University men's basketball team was unable to contain West Chester University Wednesday evening as KU dropped a 103-88 decision in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division contest at Hollinger Fieldhouse.
 
It was the Golden Bears' (14-7 overall, 11-6 PSAC) highest point total allowed of the season and the most in 14 years, dating back to the 1997-98 season. It was also the most that West Chester (12-9, 9-8) has amounted on the year.  KU is now tied for second place in the division with East Stroudsburg who defeated Mansfield on Wednesday. 
 
Shooting percentage and turnovers told the tale of KU's second straight setback.  It shot 43.5 percent from the field and despite shooting slightly under its season average, KU allowed West Chester to shoot 56.3 percent in the triple-digit output. 
 
Each team had four players finish in double figures in scoring.  Senior guard Nate Edwards (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) (Philadelphia, PA/North Catholic) scored a team-high 26 points while making all 11 of his free throws.  Edwards played 35 minutes on Wednesday and was one of three KU starters to see at least 35 minutes on the floor.  
 
Kutztown got off to a shaky start in the early going that gave West Chester a great deal of momentum and confidence that carried it though the game.  WCU put together 10-3 and 9-0 runs in the first half and forced ten KU turnovers to hold a 46-39 advantage at the break.
 
A pair of WCU 3-pointers to open the second half just about put the game out of reach, as KU could only manage to cut the lead to eight at the midway point of the final half.  The Golden Rams grew their lead to as many as 18 with 6:02 remaining as KU simply could not stop West Chester down the stretch.  WCU shot 73.1 percent and missed just seven shots in the second half.
 
KU showed some life early on as senior forward Eric Brennan (Chester, PA/West Catholic) (Chester, PA/West Catholic) showed an aggressiveness that wasn't seen in the past three games.  Brennan bodied his way to an 'And 1' opportunity to tie the game at 22 with 9:41 to go in the opening half.  He scored 13 of his 20 points in the first half Wednesday night while chipping in a team-high seven rebounds. 
 
Also scoring in double figures for KU was senior forward Devon McBride (Richmond, VA/Hill School) (Richmond, VA/Hill School) and junior guard Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian).  McBride entered the contest as the conference's leading scorer, and finished with 18 points including a game-high three 3-pointers.  He was also 7-for-10 at the charity stripe and grabbed six rebounds.  Fraction dropped 12 points with a team-high four assists.
 
Lance McDowell scored 15 rebounds in the teams' first matchup, but nearly doubled his output on his home floor.  He scored a season-high 29 points on 11-for-18 shooting Wednesday night and was two rebounds away from a double-double.  Guards Jon Breeden and Jaleel Mack scored 17 apiece, and Carl Johnson rounded out the quartet with 11. 

West Chester has now won three in a row and six of its last seven.  It sits it fourth place in the East, two games out of second place Kutztown.
 
For the second straight game, bench play has been a determining factor in KU's struggles.  It was outscored 33-7 against West Chester, as the accruing minutes on KU's starting five may be taking its toll.  Kutztown did what it needed to do on the offensive end, but with two more road games to follow, KU is going to need to dig down deep and improve itself on the defensive end.
 
Saturday's matchup with Millersville University just received an extra shot of adrenaline to the overall importance.  KU will look to bounce back and get back into the win column as MU is coming off a win against Cheyney and is fighting for its playoff life on a game-by-game basis.  Tipoff on Feb. 11 is set for 3 p.m.