Box Score Philadelphia 85, Kutztown 66 (HTML Box Score)
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University men's basketball team featured three double-digit scorers and may have faced one of the greatest all-around teams it will face all season as it fell to Philadelphia University 85-66 Tuesday night in a non-conference game at Keystone Arena.
Despite the setback, the Golden Bears (1-3) featured some memorable moments against the Rams (4-2). Freshman forward
Josh Johnson (Norristown, Pa./Norristown) made the first start of his career and did not disappoint. With most of his damage coming in the first half, Johnson finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, and a season-high four blocks. He was around the rim all night and was able to send shots from Philadelphia's 6-10 center out of bounds, against the glass, and even block a two-handed dunk attempt.
Through four games, Johnson is the only Kutztown player to score in double figures in every game. He is the first freshman to score in double figures in his first four games since Dave Ben in 2005 (four).
Starting in his first, and unfortunately final game, was redshirt junior
Mike McCready (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom (King's College)). After transferring from King's College last season, the Bethlehem native has been plagued with injuries that have forced him to call an end to his career. He laced up the Air Jordan's one last time Tuesday night and looked eager to get involved in the early going.
McCready played the first five minutes of the game, but after subbing out at the first media timeout, it appeared that he would not return for the remainder of the game. With less than two minutes to play in the game, however, McCready made his way to the scorer's table to check in, bringing his teammates on the bench and supporters in the stands to their feet. An unselfish player who did not take a shot attempt while on the floor, McCready saw an opportunity and an open lane with 20 seconds to play. He drove to the bucket, was fouled, and converted an and-1 attempt that had smiles on the faces of all his fellow Golden Bears.
Even though Tuesday night will be the final time McCready steps on the floor for Kutztown, the veteran surely will not forget his final play as a Golden Bears, and remains a member of the team who will bring great leadership to his team.
Fellow captain
Tyler Brooks (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) scored a team- and season-high 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting. He drained a pair of three-pointers, but his top moment came on a steal and breakaway dunk that Brooks threw down with authority.
Sophomore Tracy Peal rounded out the trio of double-digit scorers with 12 points. Point guard
Austin Beidelman (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) dished out a team-high five assists. He and fellow freshman
Brandon Bridy (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville Area) finished with nine points apiece.
Philadelphia used a six-man rotation all night and did not stray from its heavy three-point attack. It shot an impressive 8-for-15 from beyond the arc and an even 50 percent from the field. Five players scored in double figures, led by Derek Johnson's 22 points and eight rebounds.
Center Peter Alexis, a transfer from Division I Penn State, recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, five of which were on the offensive end. As a team, the Rams out-rebounded the Golden Bears 37-26, and 13-7 on the offensive glass.
Kutztown opened to a 4-0 lead early, but Philadelphia answered with an 11-2 run to take the lead, marking the final lead change of the night. Philadelphia's lead remained in single digits for most of the first half, until a 6-0 run capped with 1:37 to play gave it its first double-digit lead of the game (40-28).
The lead remained in double figures throughout the second half.
Kutztown shot a season-low six three-pointers, its lowest since it attempted six on Nov. 23, 2011 vs. Goldey-Beacom. It improved upon its free throw percentage (12-for-16) and only committed 10 turnovers.
The Golden Bears take off for the Thanksgiving break before returning to campus this weekend for practice. Competition resumes on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Mansfield University for a conference matchup beginning at 7:30 p.m.
