Box Score



Wilmington 76, Kutztown 70 (HTML Box Score) | Photo Gallery
 
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University men's basketball team drew within one point of Wilmington University on multiple occasions in the second half of its home-opener, but was unable to take the next step in securing the lead while fighting to the bitter end Wednesday night as it dropped a 76-70 decision at Keystone Arena.
 
After trailing by a game-high 12 points in the opening minutes of the second half, the Golden Bears (1-1) stormed back with an 8-2 and eventual 20-9 run over seven minutes to cut Wilmington's (2-3) lead to one at 52-51 with 11:13 to play. The team's traded buckets for most of the next seven minutes as Kutztown fought to within one point of tying the game of three different occasions.
 
Unfortunately for Kutztown, it was never able to tie the game or take the lead in the final minutes. Leading Kutztown 60-59 with 4:40 to play, Wilmington went on a 9-1 run to take a 69-60 lead with 2:23 left. Kutztown fought to the finish by intentionally fouling and watching Wilmington miss free throws to keep Kutztown in the game, but KU was simply unable to take advantage as a late tip-in at the buzzer closed the book on its six-point defeat.
 
"We worked hard to get within one point by doing some things well, but it seemed once we got to that point, we changed our focus a bit and they ended up going on a nice run," head coach Bernie Driscoll said. "Give Wilmington credit though; they made some solid runs, and we ultimately have to shoot better from the free throw line and from three. We left too many points out on the floor tonight."
 
Kutztown unquestionably will look at its performance at the free-throw line and from three-point range in its setback Wednesday night. As a team, it shot 16-for-26 (61.5%) from the line and 2-for-15 (13.3%) from beyond the arc. It shot a similar field goal percentage as Wilmington, but five more three-pointers by the Wildcats played a significant factor in the final outcome.
 
Sophomore forward Tracy Peal was one of three double-digit scorers for the Golden Bears with a game-high 20 points. He was 7-of-17 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds, four of which were on the offensive end. He also had four steals in 29 minutes.
 
Freshmen Austin Beidelman (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) and Josh Johnson (Norristown, Pa./Norristown) posted double figures in scoring for the second straight game. They had matching 11-point outings as Johnson led the game with nine rebounds in 19 minutes, and Beidelman grabbed six rebounds with a pair of assists.
 
Senior Tyler Brooks (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) played all 40 minutes and shot an effective 4-for-7 from the field for eight points. He also had a team-high three assists including an alley-oop pass to Johnson that brought Keystone Arena to its feet and jump-started a first-half run. Freshman Brandon Bridy (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville Area) saw additional minutes down the stretch as his tough defense triggered a game-high five steals while also scoring six points.
 
Wilmington had four players in double figures led by Herbert Dennis with 19. He, along with Shaq Monroe-Gaskins, made three triples and four free throws apiece. Shai Henry scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, as Monroe-Gaskins and Valentino Thompson each finished with 13.
 
The Golden Bears look ahead to their Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opener sooner than normal. They host East Stroudsburg University in an Eastern Division matchup on Saturday, Nov. 23 for a 3 p.m. tipoff.
 
"It's going to be a battle," Driscoll said of his opening rivalry game with ESU. "They are a very physical team and we are going to have to match their effort, and have some guys get up and attack the glass. We just did not do that this evening."