Box Score Millersville 94, Kutztown 89 (HTML Box Score)
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Unable to regain a lead in the second half, the Kutztown University men's basketball team brought it back within three with under a minute to play, but ultimately fell to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division rival Millersville University, 94-89, in the annual Play4Kay game at Keystone Arena on Saturday evening.
In a playoff spot-clinching game, Kutztown's (8-15, 6-7 PSAC E) late-game efforts fell just short. With the win, Millersville (11-11, 7-6 PSAC E) secured a spot in postseason competition. Kutztown now has three-regular season games left to battle Lock Haven and Mansfield for the final two spots.
The game got off to a fast start with alley-oops, three-pointers, and floor-thumping injuries. Nine minutes into the game and down by three, KU went on a 15-4 run to build a six point lead, which would end up being its largest of the game. Millersville responded with three straight bombs from beyond the arc to retake the lead. Ville held a four-point advantage heading into the halftime break (38-34).
The Golden Bears managed to keep it within a few points throughout the second half, but could not take back the lead. With 6:11 left to play, the Marauders opened up a 14-5 run to take to go up by a game-high 13 points. With only three minutes left to play, the Maroon and Gold did not falter. Freshman
Austin Beidelman (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) and sophomore Tracy Peal put the squad on their back, combining for the remaining 19 points to shorten the margin to three points. It was too little too late, as Ville sunk the final two free throws to close out the 94-89 victory.
Kutztown's 89 points and 19 assists were both season-highs in the defeat. KU outshot its opponents from the field (31-for-60) and from the free-throw line (23-for-31), but Ville was on point from three-point range (10-for-20).
Freshman
Josh Johnson (Norristown, Pa./Norristown)'s career-high 23 points was a bright spot in the setback. The first-year forward went 10-for-13 from the field, including a rim-rattling alley-oop in the opening minutes, and sunk all three free-throw attempts. He was second on the team with seven boards and registered two assists, a block, and a steal.
Peal also knocked down 23 points to go with a game-high and career-high tying 12 boards, recording his second consecutive double-double and his team-leading fifth this season. Peal's nine points in the final three minutes led the comeback attempt. The second-year forward swatted away a game-high three blocks and dished out four assists.
Beidelman made up the other-half of the triumphant comeback attempt, finishing with 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting. He led the team in both assists (5) and steals (3).
Fred Dukes IV (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove (Community College of Philadelphia)) rounded out the double-digit scorers, knocking down 10 points.
Kelvin Parker and Carl Wallace did most of the damage for the Marauders, knocking down 26 points a piece. Parker shot 4-for-8 from long range and Wallace converted a team-high 10 field goals.
Kutztown will return to action next Wednesday, Feb. 19 against Lock Haven University in a battle for postseason positioning. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Keystone Arena.
