WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Two new faces delivered for the Kutztown University men's basketball team as it started off the 2019-20 campaign with a victory, defeating Lincoln University 79-73 Friday night at West Chester University in a non-conference game as a part of the Messikomer Tip-Off Tournament.
 
Redshirt-junior Tarojae Brake (Coatesville, Pa./Octorara), a transfer from Lock Haven, and freshman Wesley Butler (Reading, Pa./Reading), a local product from Reading, had huge nights in their Golden Bears (1-0 overall) debut. Butler led all scorers with 23 points, including 7-of-10 from long range, and Brake was right behind, adding 22 points, six rebounds and five steals as KU won its season-opener for the fifth straight season.
 
Senior captain Josh Townsend (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) also reached double-figures, dropping 11 points and bringing in six rebounds, along with two blocks and two steals. Junior Facundo Arens (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Bahia Blanca) tallied nine points, seven rebounds and three blocks in 33 minutes of action, while senior transfer Ryan 'Boz' Bernstein (Bronx, N.Y./Marianapolis Prep), donning the Maroon and Gold for the first time, contributed six points, three rebounds and seven assists. The fifth starter, sophomore Da'Quan Granberry (Linwood, Pa./Chichester) recorded five points and three rebounds.
 
Kutztown jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first half thanks in part to its hot shooting. KU shot 47-percent (16-of-34) from the floor in taking a 43-33 lead into halftime. It led by as much as 14 points three different times.
 
The Lions fought back and actually took their first lead of the game, 49-48, with 12:02 remaining. They went up by as many as four points twice, the latter being 59-55 with 6:40 to go before Kutztown scored 12 of the next 14 points to take back the lead and go up by six (67-61) with 3:20 left, and then held on for the win.
 
Austin Laughlin (Glen Mills, Pa./Garnet Valley) connected on his lone three-point attempt to round out the KU scoring with three points. Freshman Michael Smith III (Chester, Pa./Chester) and junior transfer Sean Griffin (Abington, Pa./Phil-Mont Christian Academy) also made their KU debuts. Akello Mosby (Philadelphia, Pa./Carver), Kyree Generett (York, Pa./William Penn) and Dylan Elliott (Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek) all saw action in the opener as well.
 
Kutztown will remain in West Chester for its next game, tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 9, when it takes on Claflin at 5:30 p.m.