Video HighlightsKUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University men's basketball team opened up its 2015-16 season on Saturday night with a spectacular offensive performance, sparked by a school-record 15 three-pointers, in a 120-54 non-conference victory over Division III State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) inside a packed house at Keystone Arena.
Kutztown (1-0) used runs of 33-8 and 18-2 in the first half to take a commanding 56-22 lead over the Mighty Oaks into the half. KU finished the first half on a 51-13 run, following a deficit of 9-5 in the early going. The second half was highlighted by a 40-12 run that started at the 16:35 mark in the second half.
The second half also included a ferocious one-handed dunk by 5'10'' sophomore
Ethan Ridgeway (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin), following a steal with nine minutes to go in the half that put Keystone Arena on its feet in awe of what it had just seen.
Kutztown's 15 three-pointers broke the previous record of 14, which was set on four separate occasions, most recently against Columbia Union in 2004. KU shot 15-of-28 from behind the arc and had six different players contribute with at least one three.
The 120 points scored by the Golden Bears is the second-most in school history, seven shy of the school record of 127, set against PSU-Abington in 2008. It was the first time that Kutztown scored over 100 points since it scored 108 in a win over Millersville in 2012. KU was very efficient with its 120 points, shooting 59 percent from the field (43-of-73), 54 percent from three (15-of-28) and 83 percent from the line (19-of-23).
Kutztown did a magnificent job of moving the ball in the contest, managing 31 assists against the Mighty Oaks, tied for second-most in KU history. Seven players recorded at least three assists and 10 players had at least one. Kutztown had seven members of the team score in double-figures and had 10 players shoot 50 percent or better from the field.
Redshirt-junior
Ryan Connolly (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton Area) scored a team-high 16 points in his first game back since the 2013-14 season. He was an efficient 4-of-6 from the field, including 3-of-5 from deep and 5-of-5 at the line. He also recorded a career-high six assists in the game.
Preseason All-PSAC East forward
Josh Johnson (Norristown, Pa./Norristown) got off to a strong start in his junior campaign, compiling 14 points (6-8 FG), a team-high nine rebounds, three assists, three steals (tied career-high) and two blocks.
Junior
Howard Sellars (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area (Saint Peter's)) scored 15 points and set career-bests with 5-of-9 shooting from three-point range in the victory.
Austin Beidelman (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) played an excellent all-around game, contributing 10 points, six rebounds (tied career-high) and six assists in just 22 minutes.
Senior forward
Anthony Selby (Jersey City, N.J./Williamstown (Burlington County CC)) was an efficient 6-of-9 from the field for his 12 points. He also chipped in with three rebounds, four assists (tied career-high) and a team-best three blocks.
Kutztown's entire bench played magnificently in the contest. Its eight bench players contributed 53 points on 18-of-32 shooting from the field.
Redshirt-freshman
Anthony Lee (Willow Grove, Pa./Abington) led the bench scoring with 12 points (3-4 FG, 6-6 FT), four rebounds and three assists. Freshman
Ricky Hicks (Coatesville, Pa./Polytech) contributed with nine points and three assists, while fellow freshman
David Johnson (Dunellen, N.J./Dunellen) was perfect from the field, scoring 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting and 3-of-3 from distance.
SUNY-ESF (0-4) was led by Ryan Caldwell, who had a game-high 17 points and contributed with six rebounds and three assists. Dan Treadwell recorded seven points and six assists, while Tyler Kuhn had a team-high nine rebounds.
Kutztown opens up PSAC competition on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at home against Cheyney University inside Keystone Arena.
