HTML Box Score ERIE, Pa. – Division leaders Kutztown University and Gannon University were tied at 45-45 in a back-and-forth battle with 11:45 to play. It was then that the Golden Knights went on to end the game on a 31-16 run in the final 10:35 as Kutztown fell 76-61 Wednesday night at the Hammermill Center.
Wednesday night's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup marked the final crossover game of the season, and a battle of division leaders in the PSAC East and West. Kutztown entered the game with just one win over Gannon in 12 meetings and hoped that scoring the first 10 points of the game would help change that pattern.
Gannon went to the paint to build its late lead. Both teams protected the ball with one turnover each in the final 10:35, but Gannon was more effective from the field at 10-for-13 in the final quarter of the game. It also made 8-of-11 free throws, as Kutztown faltered with 4-of-10 from the field and 7-of-15 from the charity stripe.
Gannon out-rebounded Kutztown 34-25 and limited KU to one offensive rebound, KU's fewest in the
Bernie Driscoll era.
Despite the loss, Kutztown (10-6, 7-3 PSAC) remains in first place in the PSAC East as East Stroudsburg lost at California (PA). West Chester and Shippensburg were the only Eastern Division teams to win Wednesday night, as all Western Division teams hosted the final crossover games of the season.
Tynell Fortune (Blakeslee, Pa./Pocono Mountain West (California (PA))) poured in a game- and season-high 25 points for the second time this season. He shot 8-for-13 from the field with two three-pointers, and despite opening the game 6-of-7 at the free throw line, he finished the game 1-for-5 as Gannon pulled away. Fortune grabbed four rebounds as well.
Tyler Brooks (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) scored 16 points including two three-pointers, and also dished out a team-high three assists. He notched one block to extend his streak to seven consecutive games with a blocked shot.
Kutztown got off to a hot start by scoring the first 10 points of the game. Gannon was poised to make a run on its home floor, however, and went on a 22-8 jolt to take a 22-18 lead. KU ended the half on a 10-2 closing run and highlighted by Fortune's 13 halftime points, led 34-28 at the break.
Notably, Fortune turned in his impressive first half after suffering two fouls in the first three minutes of action.
Gannon (10-5, 9-1) had three double-digit scorers for the game, led by Girbran Smith's 19. Adam Blazek scored 17 points with three three-pointers, six rebounds and three assists.
Wednesday marked the final PSAC crossover game of the season. The Golden Bears return home for Eastern Division play on Saturday, Jan. 10 to take on Lock Haven University at Keystone Arena at 3 p.m. KU dropped both matchups to the Bald Eagles last season by a combined 10 points.
