Box Score Slippery Rock 54, Kutztown 48 (HTML Box Score)
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Kutztown University men's basketball team posted a 16-point run that gave it its first lead of the game with less than three minutes to play in the game, but it was unable to score in the final 2:59 as Slippery Rock cashed in on free throws to win 54-48 on Wednesday night at Morrow Field House.
Kutztown (3-10) posted a 21-5 run midway through the second half that took more than 10 minutes of game clock to give it a 48-47 lead with 2:59 to play, its first lead of the game. Peal scored nine points during the run as KU shot 8-for-14 and did not commit a turnover. It held Slippery Rock to 2-of-10 from the field and three turnovers.
Despite the big run, Slippery Rock (12-4) rallied and scored the game's final seven points to pull out the victory. Kutztown was 0-for-3 from the field in the final 2:33, as Slippery Rock made all five of its free throw attempts.
The Golden Bears played one of their best defensive games of the season. They allowed a season-low 54 points and held The Rock to 39.6 percent shooting. Slippery Rock entered the game averaging 77.3 points per game. Kutztown also held a 38-34 advantage on the boards, the fourth consecutive game Kutztown has out-rebounded its opponent after failing to do so in eight of the team's first nine games.
Tracy Peal scored a team-high 17 points, 13 of which came in the second half. It is the third straight game he has scored in double figures after posting a career-high 29 against California (PA) in Kutztown's last game.
Elijah Jackson (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown) and
Austin Ford (Blue Bell, PA/Sanford School) led the rebounding battle for Kutztown with six apiece. Ford's six rebounds and eight points both marked season-highs for the freshman. Notably, four of Ford's six rebounds were on the offensive end.
Both teams only had one double-digit scorer. Slippery Rock was led by Maurice Lewis-Briggs with 21 points. He also grabbed seven rebounds to share game-high honors with teammate Kelvin Dixon.
The Golden Bears have closed out crossover play and open Eastern Division play against one of its top rivals in Cheyney University. Kutztown hosts the Wolves on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. at Keystone Arena.
