CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Kutztown women's basketball nearly climbed out of a 16-point, fourth quarter hole, but had a potential game-tying three-point attempt hit off the rim and out as KU dropped the season opener 52-49 to Charleston (W.Va.) Saturday evening at California University's Convocation Center in a non-conference game.
The Golden Bears (0-1 overall) had three players finish in double figures in scoring, led by 12 points from
Zara Zerman (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon).
Naia Pulliam (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) recorded 11 points and
Abbey Hearn (Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen) tallied 10 points and six rebounds.
Casey Remolde (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Basil Academy) netted six points and five rebounds.
KU trailed 8-6 after the opening quarter. Zerman shot 2-of-2 from the floor to lead the way with four points. She started the game 4-for-4 from the floor and 1-of-1 from the free-throw line to begin the game with 10 points.
The Maroon and Gold found themselves behind by just one point (20-19) after a three-pointer by Zerman, but the Golden Eagles scored four in-a-row to finish off the quarter leading 24-19 at halftime. The advantage extended to double figures for the first time at 31-21 midway through the third quarter.
Kutztown erased a double-digit, late fourth quarter deficit. KU was behind by as many as 16 points, three different times in the final frame, but fought back. Trailing 52-42 with just 2:57 remaining, KU scored seven straight points, behind a jumper by Remolde, a three-pointer by Pulliam and a basket by Hearn to push the score to 52-49 with just 0:39 to play.
Charleston had the ball, but missed a shot from long range, rebounded by
Shannon Remolde (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Basil Academy) with 0:11 left. The Golden Bears had a chance to tie the game on their final possession, but missed the potential game-tying three.
Kutztown is back on the court for day two, the final day of the MEC/PSAC Challenge, tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 12, when KU will take on West Virginia State at 4 p.m., from the Convocation Center.
