KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Freshman guard
Yahmir Satterfield (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) netted a season-high 22 points as the Kutztown University men's basketball team (1-6, 0-2 PSAC) dropped its second PSAC crossover matchup in as many days to Mercyhurst (4-5, 1-1 PSAC) 82-73 Saturday afternoon at Keystone Arena.
The Lakers started the game on an 8-0 run, but the Golden Bears responded with a 32-14 run over a 10-minute span to take a 32-22 lead. KU didn't miss a shot throughout the run, going 9-for-9 from the floor and 10-for-10 from the charity stripe. Mercyhurst responded with a massive run of its own, outscoring KU 21-5 over the final seven minutes of the first half to go into the break up 43-37.
The Lakers did a great job in the second half keeping KU at arm's distance. A Brendan Boyle (Allentown, Pa./Notre Dame) three-pointer cut the lead to 50-45 with 16:19 left in the game, but that's the closest KU would get. Back-to-back free throws from Jeff Planutis, who ended with 39 points for the Lakers, extended the lead to 16 with seven minutes left. The Golden Bears cut the lead down to single digits in the dying embers of the game but dropped the contest 82-73.
The previously mentioned Satterfield ended the game with a team-high 22 points, two assists, and three rebounds. The Philadelphia native went a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Brent Ricketts Jr. (Seaford, Del./Seaford) was the other Golden Bear in double-digits with 11 points and a team-high two steals. Jaiden McGhee (Townsend, Del./Middletown) and Amir Cunningham (Middletown, Del./Middletown) both ended with a joint team-high five boards. Freshman center Tyler Koenig (Waldwick, N.J./Pioneer Academy) got his second start of the season.
The Golden Bears outscored the Lakers in bench points (24-18) but were bested in points in the paint (26-16). It was a physical game between the PSAC crossover foes, with 46 personal fouls being called, 28 of which were on the Lakers. KU did a decent job cashing in on its free shots, going 75.8% from the charity stripe (25-33).
After a weekend at home, the Golden Bears have three road games up next. KU travels to Wilmington to take on the Wildcats on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.
