Box Score KUTZTOWN, Pa. – All five of Kutztown University's starters scored in double figures, but it was not enough at California (PA) pulled away late for a 79-71 win.
The Golden Bears led 61-60 after a free throw by
Micah Fraction (Macungie, PA/Montrose Christian) with 4:45 to play, but the Vulcans finished the game with a 19-10 run to put the game out of reach for KU.
Fraction matched
Abdul King (Philadelphia, PA/Constitution) with a team-high 17 points. King hit 7-of-10 field goals on his way to a career-high in points, while Fraction went 7-of-13 and dished out seven assists.
Ryan Connolly (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton Area) shot 5-of-9, including three three-point field goals, and finished with 13 points to go with a team-high eight rebounds. Tracy Peal netted 11 points and
Tyler Brooks (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) chipped in with 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Mitchell Weedon had a big game for the Vulcans with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Keith Lowe came off the bench to lead all players with 23 points. Tynell Fortune added a dozen and Jake Jacubec finished with 11.
Free throw shooting proved to be the difference in the contest. California hit 19-of-20, while KU was just 9-of-23.
The Vulcans opened the game with a 14-5 run, but the Golden Bears quickly tied things at 16-16 midway through the first half on a jumper by Brooks. Cal continued to hold a slim lead for much of the rest of the half, with a Peal field goal bringing KU to within 34-32 at the half.
Fraction tied the game on the first possession of the second half and the Golden Bears started the half with a 16-6 run that gave them a 48-40 lead after Peal got two in close with 11:27 remaining. There were a total of nine ties or lead changes throughout the rest of the half before a three by Fortune gave Cal the lead for good with 4:34 to play, 63-61.
Both teams shot 48 percent from the floor in the contest.
California outrebounded Kutztown 39-32, but the Golden Bears held a 44-36 advantage in points in the paint. KU also used a 27-20 advantage in points off turnovers to keep things close.
The Golden Bears will look to get back into the win column on Saturday, January 5, when No. 16 IUP visits Keystone Arena for a 7:30 p.m. tip off.
