Box Score



California (PA) 68, Kutztown 62 (HTML Box Score)
 
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Sophomore Tracy Peal scored a career-high 29 points and helped the Kutztown University men's basketball team nearly overcome a 12-point deficit as the Golden Bears dropped a 68-62 decision to California University (PA) on Saturday afternoon at Keystone Arena.
 
Peal shot 12-for-18 from the field and 5-for-6 from the free throw line. His 29 points topped his previous career-high of 24 points, set earlier this season at Pitt-Johnstown. He also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds in 34 minutes.
 
The Golden Bears (3-9) roared back from down 11 points, to a four with a 9-2 run to bring the game to 52-48 with 5:27 to play. They shot 3-of-4 during the run as Peal sparked the run with a pair of layups, and Josh Johnson (Norristown, Pa./Norristown) capped the run with an and-one layup. Elijah Jackson (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown) also had a tip-in during the seven-point spurt.
 
"We felt like there was a soft spot in their zone, and getting the ball down low and to Tracy would help get us back in the game," head coach Bernie Driscoll said. "We started attacking the gaps, something we hoped to be doing all game."
 
It took Kutztown to the final minute to come within one possession of the Vulcans (5-8). Fred Dukes IV (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove (Community College of Philadelphia)) made a pair of free throws with 24 seconds left to cut the deficit to three (64-61). Following a pair of California (PA) free throws, Peal was fouled on his way to the hoop and made the first free throw. Kutztown grabbed the offensive rebound after missing the second free throw, but missed a layup with 15 seconds left that prevented it from drawing within a bucket.
 
"Our kids played extremely hard, and fought to the bitter end," Driscoll said. "We were outmanned physically for a while, but we ultimately need to play smarter basketball, and that will come with experience."
 
Peal was one of two double digit scorers for Kutztown. Freshman Austin Beidelman (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) scored 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting and three made free throws. Johnson grabbed a team-high eight rebounds with eight points.
 
Even though Kutztown dominated points in the paint, 42-24, Kutztown made just one three-pointer compared to California (PA)'s seven. In its two games over the weekend, Kutztown shot 2-for-21 from three-point range.
 
The Vulcans had three double-digit scorers, led by Jake Jacubec's 21 points including four three-pointers. Arman Marks had 19 points including seven free throws, as Alonzo Murphy notched a double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds. Their bench also outscored Kutztown's 25-12.
 
Kutztown hits the road next week to take on Slippery Rock University on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. It is the final crossover game of the season before Kutztown hosts Cheyney University in divisional play on Saturday, Jan. 11.
 
"We have one more game until our second season starts," Driscoll said. "(Against Slippery Rock) I want us to work on the tempo of the game, and as a team I want us to get better defensively.