KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Four score in double figures, led by a game-high 19 points by
Kyree Generett (York, Pa./William Penn) and
Robert Tucker (Philadelphia, Pa./Paul Robeson) as Kutztown men's basketball got into the win column for the first time this season in its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference opener against Gannon, winning 78-74 in overtime Friday night at Keystone Arena.
The Golden Bears (1-5 overall, 1-0 PSAC), who had lost the first five games of the regular season, all by eight points or less, were able to walk off their home court as victors and celebrate win No. 1 in 2022-23.
Tucker and Generett combined to score 10 of KU's 13 points in the overtime period, including the first four in the opening 1:25 to stake the Maroon and Gold to a lead, one that they held throughout OT. The Golden Knights (0-5, 0-1) pulled to within two points, four times with under 3:14 remaining, but each time KU answered, mainly by connecting from the free-throw line. Kutztown was 9-of-10 from the charity stripe in extra time to salt the game away.
Generett made a career-best 13 free-throws in the game, finishing 13-for-14.
Josh Samec (Tresckow, Pa./Hazleton) and
Wesley Butler (Reading, Pa./Reading) also finished in double digits in scoring with 15 and 13, respectively. Samec had his first double-double in Maroon and Gold, grabbing 10 rebounds. Butler is now 25 points away from 1,000 for his career, in just his third season of college ball.
Kameron Roberts (Townsend, Del./Middletown) recorded five points and five rebounds.
Jordan Harding (Bear, Del./William Penn) and
Brendan Boyle (Allentown, Pa./Notre Dame) both finished with three points. Two of Boyle's three points came at the free-throw line with just 0:04 left with KU holding a slim, two-point lead.
Kutztown remains at home for another PSAC West Division crossover game, tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m., against Clarion.
