CLARION, Pa. -- The Kutztown University men's basketball team (1-9, 0-4 PSAC) ended its mini western road trip on a sour note, falling to Clarion (5-5, 3-1 PSAC) 92-72 at the W.S. Tippin Gymnasium Tuesday evening.
Similar to the previous night, the Golden Bears got off to a slow start, trailing by as much as 14 seven minutes into the game. KU battled back, going on a 12-0 run to make it a two-point game courtesy of a Brendan Boyle (Allentown, Pa./Notre Dame) three-pointer at the 7:22 mark of the first. The Golden Bears got within a point after a Jaiden McGhee (Townsend, Del./Middletown) three-ball, but Clarion extended the lead back to four and entered the break up 39-35.
The Golden Eagles found their offensive groove in the second half, going on long sustained runs on the back of an above 50% shooting percentage from the floor. Clarion's largest lead of the night was 22 points, coming after a Jeremy Thomas II dunk with 2:37 left in the game. KU couldn't keep up offensively in the second frame, shooting below 40% while going 1-for-8 (12.5%) from three.
For the second straight night, freshman Jaiden McGhee (Townsend, Del./Middletown) led the Golden Bears with 16 points and nine rebounds, coming one board short of his second straight double-double. Brendan Boyle (Allentown, Pa./Notre Dame) had his second-straight night in double-figures with 10 points, along with Brent Ricketts Jr. (Seaford, Del./Seaford) who also had 10 points. Kameron Roberts (Townsend, Del./Middletown) recorded a team-high four steals to go along with seven points. Roberts sits just outside the top ten in the PSAC in steals this season with 16.
The Golden Eagles had five players in double-figures, led by Kelly Steve, who had 20 points and nine assists. It's only the third time in 12 all-time meetings Clarion has bested KU and it's the first time since 2012.
The Golden Bears have an elongated break for the holidays and return right before the New Year to face Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday, Dec. 30 at Keystone Arena. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.
