BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – Junior Josh Townsend (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) and sophomore Kiyon Hardy (Philadelphia, Pa./The Shipley School) of the Kutztown University men's basketball team had a combined seven starts between the two of them entering this season, but have grown exponentially and have seen their playing time increase because of it. The duo experienced career-high games Saturday afternoon in leading KU to an 80-69 win at Bloomsburg University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division matchup at Nelson Field House.
 
The Golden Bears (9-6 overall, 3-4 PSAC) have now won six in-a-row against the Huskies and nine of their last 10 meetings, including two regular season games and a PSAC First Round game a year ago. This was also the second consecutive victory overall for Kutztown, after taking down non-conference opponent Bowie State last Wednesday, Jan. 2, also on the road.
 
Townsend recorded his second career double-double, scoring 18 points (8-for-10 from the floor) and grabbing 12 rebounds, while also adding two blocks and tying a career-high with two assists. Hardy netted 16 points and had three rebounds. He went 3-for-5 from three-point range, 3-of-4 at the free-throw line and was 5-of-9 (55.5-percent) from the field overall.
 
Anthony Lee (Willow Grove, Pa./Abington) led the way, tallying a game-high 20 points to go along with four rebounds and seven assists, which tied a career-high. Moe Williams (Townsend, Del./Life Center Academy) just missed another double-double, recording eight points and eight rebounds in just 14 minutes, dealing with foul trouble early on. Facundo Arens (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Bahia Blanca) contributed seven points, three rebounds and three assists.
 
Kutztown led for almost 33 of the 40 overall minutes. The Huskies (4-7, 2-5) scored the opening basket of the contest, but did not see a lead from the 16:59 mark of the first half until a slim two-minute period in the second half. KU put the ball in the basket and defended it on the other end to stay out in front for the remainder, albeit a lot of times by the skins of its teeth.
 
The Maroon and Gold led 38-32 at halftime with their largest lead of eight happening twice in the first 20 minutes. Bloomsburg connected on a three to open the second half and scored seven-of-eight to take a lead.
 
With BU ahead 44-43 and 15:39 remaining, Kutztown converted on its next two shots to take the lead back for good. The advantage reached double-figures at 58-48 with 8:38 to go and the Huskies never got to within closer than five the rest of the way.
 
Freshman Da'Quan Granberry (Linwood, Pa./Chichester) hit one-of-two from beyond the arc and both of his free-throws to finish with five points and added six rebounds. Ricky Hicks (Coatesville, Pa./Polytech) had four points and Austin Laughlin (Glen Mills, Pa./Garnet Valley) chipped in two for KU.
 
Kutztown returns home for its next game when it takes on a PSAC West Division foe in Edinboro on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m.