VIDEO: Post-Game Interview with Beidelman

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Kutztown University men's basketball team closed out a back-and-forth affair against Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), 78-76, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover match held in Keystone Arena on Saturday.

This was the first time since the 2008-09 season that KU has defeated IUP. Kutztown's 6-1 start is its best start since the 2009-10 season when it started 14-0. It finished the 2009-10 season 25-6 overall. 

In what was the most high octane stretch of the game, five minutes remained and Kutztown (6-1, 5-1 PSAC) found itself up by three points, 60-57. Over the next few minutes, IUP (6-4, 3-3) kept things interesting with converted free throws and quick layups, but redshirt-junior Ryan Connolly (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton Area) had back-to-back game-changing plays in the closing minutes.

The Golden Bears led by five with two minutes to go and IUP had possession. Connolly stepped up on the defensive end to take a charge and regain possession for KU with 1:54 to play. On the following possession, Connolly hit a three-pointer in transition which ultimately was the dagger for Kutztown as it gave it an eight-point advantage. Despite the game being all but wrapped up, IUP managed to hit the final shot of the game, a half-court buzzer-beater, and KU managed to hold on for the two-point victory.

Connolly finished the game with 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He was the facilitator of two Hail Mary passes to junior guard Austin Beidelman (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) to close it out in the final minutes. Beidelman ended the contest with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.

The game proved to be very physical as there were 41 total fouls between the two teams, which resulted in a player fouling out for each team. Anthony Selby (Jersey City, N.J./Williamstown (Burlington County CC)) and Brandon Norfleet both reached five fouls in the closing minutes of the game. Selby ended the contest with eight points and three rebounds.

The Maroon and Gold once again rolled with Anthony Lee (Willow Grove, Pa./Abington) in the starting lineup and he impressed for the second consecutive game. Lee was tenacious in the paint, constantly battling for loose balls and 50-50 rebounds. He ended the game with 14 points, three rebounds and a steal.

Ethan Ridgeway (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin) was huge for the Golden Bears as he dished out a team-high five assists off the bench in only 19 minutes of play.

Kutztown proved to be more efficient with its shots as it shot 51 percent from the field compared to IUP's 44 percent.  The Maroon and Gold also held an advantage in fast break points (8-5), bench points (15-10) and assists (15-12).

IUP found production from the three-headed monster of Norfleet, Anthony Glover and Daddy Ugbede. Before fouling out, Norfleet ended with 22 points and five rebounds, while Glover finished just one point shy of his teammate with 21. Despite only playing 19 minutes due to foul trouble, Ugbede was efficient with his time on the floor with 13 points and three rebounds.

After playing three games in five days, the Maroon and Gold will be able to take a breather before their next contest. Kutztown will host Penn State Berks on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. at Keystone Arena.