SHEPHERDSTOWN, W. Va. – The Kutztown University men's basketball team worked 13 players onto the court Friday evening in the 2014-15 season opener from Shepherd University's Butcher Center, but the Golden Bears fell to Wheeling Jesuit University, 102-74, in non-conference action.
 
Kutztown (0-1) features multiple new faces on this year's squad and will work to find the winning mix over the first segment of the season. Wheeling Jesuit (1-0) produced a big second half offensively to lift the team to victory.
 
The Golden Bears notched the first four points of the game to get out to an early advantage, but the Cardinals responded and held the lead for the rest of the duration.
 
Sophomore Josh Johnson (Norristown, Pa./Norristown) picked up right where he left off last season, leading the team in both points (20) and rebounds (8). Johnson went 7-for-11 from the field and sunk six of his eight free throws.
 
Tynell Fortune (Blakeslee, Pa./Pocono Mountain West (California (PA))) was the only other Golden Bear in double figures, accounting for 10 points, five rebounds, and a team-high three steals.
 
Howard Sellars (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area (Saint Peter's)) and Tracy Peal Jr. (Drexel Hill, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) both got the start on Friday and notched eight points apiece, while Austin Beidelman (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) came off the bench to knock down eight more. Sellars converted both of his three-point attempts while Beidelman led KU with three assists.
 
Eric Seifert led the Cardinals with a game-high 26 points on 8-for-13 shooting. Kyle Ritz, Pat Moseh, Chase Lawson, and Drake Goodard all notched double figures for the winning team.
 
The Maroon and Gold return to action tomorrow, Nov. 15 against Shepherd University at 6 p.m.