EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. -- Despite four Golden Bears netting double-digits, the Kutztown University men's basketball team (2-17, 1-12 PSAC) couldn't keep up with #19/9 East Stroudsburg (17-2, 11-2 PSAC) in the second half, falling 103-74 at the Koehler Fieldhouse Monday evening.
Brent Ricketts Jr. (Seaford, Del./Seaford) led the Golden Bears with a season-high 19 points and seven boards. In his return to the Poconos, Juju Pagan (Tobyhanna, Pa./Pocono Mountain West) netted 18 points and snagged four rebounds. Amir Cunningham (Middletown, Del./Middletown) and Jaiden McGhee (Townsend, Del./Middletown) were the other Golden Bears in double figures, with 14 and 13 points respectively.
KU came out of the gate hot, leading by as much as six after a Tyler Koenig (Waldwick, N.J./Pioneer Academy) layup with 8:34 left in the first. ESU jumped back in front via a Jalen McGlone three to make it 26-25 at the 5:52 mark, as the Warriors extended the lead and entered the half up 39-33.
It was all ESU coming out of the break, as the Warriors went on a 21-4 run over the first 4:09 of the second to open up a 60-37 lead. The Warriors shot 63% from the floor in the second half compared to a 40% mark from the Golden Bears. KU was outscored 64-41 in the second frame as ESU walked away 103-74 winners.
Turnovers were an issue all night for KU, committing 28 compared to 10 by ESU. That resulted in a 43-10 points off turnover advantage for ESU. The Golden Bears did well on the glass, outrebounding the Warriors 38-33.
Lakeem McAliley led ESU with 28 points, while Jaelen McGlone ended with 22. Cam Young grabbed a team-high six boards for the Warriors.
KU will return home for a two-game stretch this week, starting with a critical clash against Shepherd on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Tip off from Keystone Arena is set for 7:30 p.m.
