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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Coming off a 90-55 victory over Penn State Lehigh Valley, the Kutztown University women's basketball team (3-3, 0-2 PSAC) will compete against the Jefferson University Rams on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. in its second of six consecutive home games before winter break.
Falling to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)-foes California University (PA) and Slippery Rock University in their opening weekend of conference play, the Golden Bears snapped a two-game losing streak with the win over PSULV on a historic Saturday afternoon. Led by
Alexis Smith (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin) and
Rylee Derr (Lititz, Pa./Warwick), KU knocked down a school-record 15 three-pointers against the Nittany Lions, shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc. Smith and Derr were responsible for 9-of-15 makes and combined for 38 total points, continuing their emergence as one of the most dynamic freshmen duos in the PSAC.
Individually, Smith poured in a season-high 24 points, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line, adding five rebounds, three steals and two assists for a stat-stuffing line from the freshman. Smith earned PSAC East Athlete of the Week honors for this performance and has led the Maroon and Gold in scoring in 3-of-6 games this season.
Kutztown's hot-shooting, combined with its full-court pressure defense, of which forced 31 PSULV turnovers, were the main factors in securing a one-sided victory in which KU led from its first basket, a Derr three at the 7:04 mark in the first quarter, to the finish line. Derr and Smith both hold double-digit points per game averages through the first six contests, scoring 11.5 ppg and 10.0 ppg, respectively.
Looking ahead to this tilt with the Rams (6-0), the Maroon and Gold will have its hands full facing a Jefferson squad which has yet to lose this season and enters this contest following back-to-back wins over PSAC East-rivals Shippensburg and East Stroudsburg. Statistically, Jefferson and KU's numbers are very similar in points per game (66.3-62.2), field goal percentage (37.1-34.0), rebounding (42.3-40.5) and a litany of other categories. However, one statistical advantage for the Rams comes on the defensive side, limiting its first six foes to 52.5 ppg compared to Kutztown, which is holding opponents to 63.8 ppg.
Jefferson, formerly known as Philadelphia University, is led by dynamic do-it-all guard Jessica Kaminski, who leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.3 ppg and 8.3 rpg. Kaminski, who does most of her damage in the paint, and Rachel Day, who has made a team-high 14 three-pointers at a 38.9 percent clip, make up a solid one-two punch on the offensive end for JU.
In the last meeting between these two sides, KU claimed the road victory on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, by a 79-69 final score.
Karen Lapkiewicz (Southampton, Pa./Saint Basil Academy) recorded perhaps her best showing as a Golden Bear in the win, dropping career-highs in points (14), assists (4) and rebounds (8).
Gabbi Wright (Elkins Park, Pa./Cheltenham) also delivered a solid performance off the bench, scoring a career-high 11 points and adding two rebounds and two blocks on the defensive end.
While Smith and Derr have been scoring effectively to begin this season, Kutztown will need additional offensive contributions to take down a defensive-minded Jefferson team, which will surely key on the freshmen sharpshooters. Additionally, facing a strong team on both ends whom has defeated two PSAC-East teams already this season will be a good litmus test for KU in judging its current level of play and also what's to come for the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign.
