Box Score Kutztown 75, Philadelphia 71 (HTML Box Score)
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Trailing the entire first half and the beginning of the second half, the Kutztown University women's basketball team finally took control with 11 minutes left in the game, holding off Philadelphia University to grab its first win of the season from the Gallagher Center in Philadelphia, 75-71.
Kutztown (1-2) hands the Rams (2-1) their first loss of the year with Saturday's victory. The Rams took an early lead in the first half and never let KU get in front, but were never able to extend their lead past eight points.
Freshman
Kara Funk (Dover, Pa./Dover) came off the bench for a hot start in the first half, scoring eight points and nailing both of her three-point attempts. This was crucial for KU to stay in the game, as starting guard
Natalya Lee (Feasterville, Pa./Rancocas Valley Regional) was shut out cold in the first half (0-for-9).
Kutztown took the floor in the second half down 36-31.
Nicole Donahue (Wall, N.J./St. Rose) hit three straight jumpers to bring the game within one. After the Rams grabbed their own offensive rebound and put back a jumper in the paint,
Jess Harvey (Barnegat, N.J./Rumson Fair-Haven Regional) would dial in from the three point line. Harvey tied the game 42-42 with a downtown shot, then immediately followed up with another triple to put KU up 45-42.
KU eventually extended its lead to eight (tied for the largest lead of the game for either team). The Rams would then sub in Najah Jacobs, who would go on to present some difficulties for the KU defense, scoring all nine of the remaining points for Philadelphia. Harvey and Donahue would each hit free throws in the final minutes to secure the victory for KU.
Junior guard
Alyssa Bonenberger (Walnutport, PA/Northampton Area) finished as the leading scorer for Kutztown, draining 17 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Bonenberger was also second on the team with eight boards and four assists.
Donahue would finish with 12 points and led the team with 13 rebounds.
Harvey went 3-for-5 from three-point range, tallying 12 points and leading the team with five assists. Funk added three points in the second half, finishing with 11 total.
Kutztown will next take on the University of Sciences in its home-opener from Keystone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
