SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- In its first action of 2024, the Kutztown University men's basketball team (1-11, 0-6 PSAC) started slow and couldn't overcome a 32-point halftime deficit, falling to PSAC West crossover foe Slippery Rock (4-7, 3-3 PSAC) 97-77 Wednesday night at the Morrow Field House.
The KU freshmen class continues to lead the Golden Bears this campaign, with Jaiden McGhee (Townsend, Del./Middletown), Amir Cunningham (Middletown, Del./Middletown), Brent Ricketts Jr. (Seaford, Del./Seaford), and Juju Pagan (Tobyhanna, Pa./Pocono Mountain West) all ending in double figures. McGhee led the way with a season-high 23 points in 39 minutes of action. Coming off his best game of the season against Pitt-Johnstown, Cunningham ended with 15 points. Ricketts Jr. netted 13, while Pagan ended with 11.
The Golden Bears entered the new year looking to break their nine-game losing streak, but things got off to a less-than-ideal start as Slippery Rock led 15-4 five minutes in. The Rock couldn't miss from the floor in the first half, shooting 63.64% (21-33), including a 66.67% (6-9) mark from beyond the three-point line. KU found itself down 59-27 entering the break.
The second half was better for the Golden Bears, outscoring Slippery Rock 50-38 in the final 20 minutes with a much-improved 41.3% mark from the floor. Despite their efforts, the deficit proved too much for the Golden Bears as the contest ended 97-77.
Maceo Austin led the way for Slippery Rock with 27 points, while Lashon Lindsey grabbed a game-high ten rebounds. The Rock got 50 points off their bench compared to 19 from the Golden Bears. KU now has a 4-7 all-time record against Slippery Rock, with its last win coming in 2019.
The Golden Bears now turn their attention to divisional play as KU opens its PSAC East slate on the road at Mansfield this Saturday, Jan. 6 at 3 p.m.
