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EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – A Natalya Lee buzzer-beater at the end of the first half gave the Kutztown University women's basketball team the momentum to dominate the second half as the Golden Bears came out of Koehler Fieldhouse on Wednesday with a 56-41 win over East Stroudsburg University in the last game of the regular season.
 
With the win, Kutztown finishes the regular season 10-12 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division and 11-15 overall. Following Lock Haven's loss tonight at the hands of PSAC East-leading Bloomsburg, the Golden Bears lock up the fourth seed heading into playoffs and will host fifth-seeded LHU this Saturday, Feb. 28.
 
East Stroudsburg (11-15, 10-12 PSAC) takes the sixth seed and will head to third-seeded Shippensburg for the other first round contest. Bloomsburg and West Chester receive byes as the top two seeds.
 
The Golden Bears got off to a hot start on Wednesday, building a 13-4 lead over the first 6:29 behind nine combined points from Elisa Gaffney and Lee. The home team slowly clawed back, and back-to-back triples from Madison Tamburini gave ESU its first lead of the game with just over a minute left in the first half. Lee wasn't done though, as she took an outlet pass off an ESU miss and banked in a buzzer-beater just after crossing the half court line to give KU a 29-28 advantage going into the break.
 
Lee finished the first half with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting, while Gaffney also knocked down nine and led the team with five rebounds.
 
The Maroon and Gold started the second half with a disciplined mindset, converting free throws and playing lock down defense while committing limited fouls. Over the first 11 minutes of the second stanza, Kutztown went on a 19-4 tear to build a 16-point lead (48-32) and put the game out of reach.
 
Lee and Gaffney carried Kutztown in the scoring department, accounting for 31 of KU's 56 points. Lee shot efficiently from the field, going 5-for-8 for a game-high 16 points. Gaffney notched the first double-double of her career as the senior contines to step up down the stretch late in the season. She knocked down a career-high three three-pointers for 15 points, and brought down a game- and career-high 10 rebounds.
 
Advia Campbell had a tall task in guarding ESU's star forward Jessica Martin, but she proved why she is in the running to repeat as the PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year. Martin, who ranks eighth at ESU in career points, was held to a 2-for-11 performance from the field for five points. In the first meeting between the two teams this season, Martin went 0-for-5 from the field. Campbell secured nine rebounds and dished three helpers, while leading the team with three blocks and three steals.
 
Kelsey Watson contributed seven points, six boards, and a game-high four assists. Alyssa Bonenberger pitched in six points and Nicole Donahue hit both of her field goal attempts for five points off the bench.
 
KU held ESU to a 15-of-52 outing from the field (28.8 percent) and didn't allow a single Warrior to score in double digits. Kutztown's 41 points against is its lowest allowed in a game since Jan. 11, 2013.
 
Allison Howard led the way for ESU with nine points and eight rebounds, while Andrea Veres and Tamburini chipped in eight points apiece. Martin finished with five points, eight rebounds, and five blocks.
 
The Maroon and Gold will host Lock Haven University at Keystone Arena this Saturday, Feb. 28 for the first round of the PSAC playoffs at 1 p.m. KU won the first matchup this season against the Bald Eagles at home, but lost by one point on the road.