WEST CHESTER, Pa. -- The Kutztown University men's basketball team (5-15, 5-10 PSAC) erased a ten-point halftime deficit and led with one minute left in the game, but ultimately fell in a close affair against rivals West Chester (15-6, 10-5 PSAC) 77-72 on the road Wednesday night.
The Golden Bears battled all night long, turning the narrative with a strong second half after shooting below 35% from the floor in the first frame. KU outshot and outrebound the Golden Rams in the second half, coming back and taking a lead towards the end of the contest. Both teams went back and forth in the final few minutes, but some timely baskets from West Chester elevated it to victory.
Josh Samec (Tresckow, Pa./Hazleton) registered a double-double in his return to Hollinger Field House, scoring 12 points while grabbing 11 boards to go along with four assists. Robert Tucker (Philadelphia, Pa./Paul Robeson) led KU with 18 points and came one rebound short of a double-double with nine rebounds. Kyree Generett (York, Pa./William Penn) (14) and Jalen Bryant (Edgewood, Md./John Carroll) (14) were the other Golden Bears in double figures. Wesley Bulter (8) and Ryan Glassmacher (Stewartsville, N.J./Bethlehem Catholic (Pa.)) (3) rounded out the scoring for KU.
Kyle McGee finished with a game-high 28 points for WCU. KU had a slight advantage in the rebounding department (44-41) and made nine threes in comparison to the Golden Ram's four. The Golden Bears struggled to protect the basketball, committing 15 turnovers to West Chester's seven.
KU has the weekend off before returning to Keystone Arena next Monday, Feb. 6 for Girl and Women in Sports Day against Millersville. That game will tip off at 7:30 p.m.
