Live Stats | Live Audio | KU Game Notes
 
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's basketball team hosts Mansfield University on Feb. 6 in a Thursday evening Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division game at Keystone Arena. Tipoff for KUSSI Fan Appreciation Night is set for 5:30 p.m.
 
The Golden Bears (6-13, 3-6 PSAC East) own a 1-10 record in their last 11 games, including an 80-56 loss at East Stroudsburg on Saturday. Four different players scored in double digits for Kutztown, but they combined for 52 of the team's 56 points.
 
Meanwhile, Mansfield (0-20, 0-10) has lost every game by double digits since its first meeting against Kutztown (14 games). In that meeting, on Dec. 4, the Golden Bears won 69-64 while collecting a school-record 22 steals.
 
LAST TIME OUT: The Golden Bears lost to East Stroudsburg, 80-56, in a road PSAC East game last Saturday. The loss marked the 10th in the last 11 games for KU. Four players scored in double digits, but they accounted for 52 of the team's 56 points (Natalya Lee (Feasterville, Pa./Rancocas Valley Regional) 15, Kelsey Watson (Collegeville, Pa./Methacton) 15, Jess Harvey (Barnegat, N.J./Rumson Fair-Haven Regional) 12, Alyssa Bonenberger (Walnutport, PA/Northampton Area) 10). Meanwhile, East Stroudsburg countered with 50.9 percent shooting (27-of-53 field goals made) and 17 steals for the victory.
 
STEALS APLENTY NO MORE? Kutztown collected six steals in Saturday's loss, marking the third consecutive game in which the Golden Bears collected fewer than 10 steals. Prior to that, KU had 10+ steals in 12 of 13 games between 11/20 and 1/18. This includes a pair of six-game stretches with 10+ steals, both which mark a program best since 1998 (1/31-2/14). Kutztown set a school record when the team collected 22 steals in the first meeting against Mansfield.
 
STATISTICAL ADVIA-TION: The production this year from junior forward Advia Campbell (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape) soared impressively. Campbell accomplished the program's first ever triple-double, including a school-record 10 blocks, against West Chester on Dec. 7. She also made seven steals, her first of three such games this season. For the season, Campbell averages 9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 steals (PSAC-best) and 2.2 blocks (second in the PSAC) per game.
 
MRS. RELIABLE: Through her three years at KU, junior guard/forward Alyssa Bonenberger (Walnutport, PA/Northampton Area) started 71 consecutive games and counting. With that, she's become one of the main focal points on offense. Her 9.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game both lead the Golden Bears. Her four double-doubles also mark a team-best this season. Bonenberger shoots 41.2 percent from the floor and 76.3 percent from the free-throw line.
 
BOARDED UP: The Golden Bears are looking to improve in a few major areas. The rebounding battle is one of them. Kutztown began the season with 144 rebounds in three games, earning a positive rebound margin in each game. Since then, the Golden Bears were outrebounded in 12 of their last 16 games. KU is on average outrebounded 39.69 to 35.37 in that span. For the season, KU owns a 3-3 record with a rebound advantage, but a 3-9 record otherwise (losing the last nine).
 
PSAC PLAYOFF PICTURE: Kutztown currently holds a 3-6 record in the PSAC East, ranking the team sixth in the division. The Golden Bears earned victories over East Stroudsburg, Cheyney and Mansfield. West Chester leads the division at 9-1, while Bloomsburg ranks second at 8-2. They currently hold spots for a first-round bye in the PSAC Championship Tournament. To look farther, Shippensburg ranks third at 7-3 and Millersville ranks fourth at 6-3. To close, East Stroudsburg is fifth at 6-4, ahead of KU. The top six teams in each division make the tourney.
 
Looking in the Other Corner: the Mansfield Mountaineers
 
PRIMARY MATTER: Senior forward/center Jena Matter will be the toughest Mountie to stop in the PSAC East battle. Matter leads the team with 14.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. She scored in double digits in all but three games, including 14 of the last 15 games. Overall, Matter shoots 44.5 percent from the floor and 65.7 percent from the charity stripe.
 
TOO HOT TO HANDLE? One of Mansfield's biggest problems this year comes from turnovers. The Mountaineers average 21.5 turnovers per game, which ranks as the third-worst total in the PSAC. Opponents are averaging 12.3 steals per game, showing that the pressure from a defense can create havoc. KU set a school record with 22 steals in the first meeting.
 
HEY THERE, COACH: Mounties head coach Alison Tagliaferri is in her second season as head coach. A former two-sport star at Mansfield, she led MU to a 5-21 season last year. She played basketball from 2002-06 and softball from 2002-05. Also of note, Tagliaferri has professional basketball experience in Portugal, as she played there in 2007.