EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. -- For the second straight game, the Kutztown University men's basketball team (8-17, 7-12 PSAC) erased a double-digit second-half deficit to comeback and defeat East Stroudsburg (19-7, 13-7 PSAC) 90-87 Wednesday night at Koehler Fieldhouse.
It's been six years to the day since the last time the Golden Bears beat the Warriors, which was a 96-92 victory on Feb. 15, 2017. In that time the teams met 11 times, most recently Jan. 23, when ESU came back from 20 points down to steal the game from KU. On Wednesday night, the Golden Bears flipped the script.
KU trailed by as much as 20 towards the end of the first half, before scoring 61 points in the second half en route to the victory. The Golden Bears shot lights out in the second frame, going 68% from the floor, which included a 62% mark from three-point range. KU also went 20-21 from the charity stripe for 95%, compared to ESU's 88% mark.
For the second game in a row, the guard duo of Jalen Bryant (Edgewood, Md./John Carroll) and Kyree Generett (York, Pa./William Penn) were massive catalysts in the comeback. Bryant netted 27 points while grabbing six boards and dishing out three assists. The Edgewood, Md. native's biggest contribution came from the free throw line as he went 14-for-14. Generett ended the game with 23 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Robert Tucker (Philadelphia, Pa./Paul Robeson) was a massive help in his return to the floor, recording 18 points while grabbing six rebounds. Josh Samec (Tresckow, Pa./Hazleton) was the other Golden Bear in double-figures with 10 points and eight rebounds. Kameron Roberts (Townsend, Del./Middletown) and Wesley Butler (Reading, Pa./Reading) rounded out the scoring for KU, netting six points each.
For ESU, Lakeem McAiley led the way with 26 points and four boards. Justin Paz (14) and Carlos Pepin (12) were the other Warriors in double figures.
It's the best win of the season for the Golden Bears, as ESU was receiving votes in the last NABC coaches poll. It's KU's third straight win and second-straight win in PSAC East play. It's also the Golden Bear's second straight double-digit comeback win after beating Goldey-Beacom 80-73 on Monday night.
The win also keeps KU alive in the race for the postseason. Shepherd (13-12, 10-9 PSAC) fell on the road by one point to West Chester Wednesday night, meaning KU is three games back with three games to go. Shepherd travels to East Stroudsburg then hosts Shippensburg in its next two games, before coming to Keystone Arena for the final game of the season.
The Golden Bears' next game is on Saturday, Feb. 18 at home against Mansfield. That game will tip off at 1 p.m. KU will then head to Bloomsburg in a week before the final game against Shepherd on Feb. 25.
