KUTZTOWN, Pa. --The Kutztown University men's basketball team (2-18, 1-13 PSAC) shot a season-worst 33.3% from the floor as the Golden Bears fell to Shepherd (9-10, 6-8 PSAC) 70-50 Wednesday night at Keystone Arena.
KU started the game strong, taking a 23-12 lead with 8:17 left in the first capped off by a Jaiden McGhee (Townsend, Del./Middletown) two-handed slam. But from that point on till the half, the Rams went on a 24-2 run to enter the locker room up 36-23. Shepherd's lead fluctuated throughout the second half as both teams struggled to score. With any run KU found itself on, Shepherd responded as the Rams walked away 70-50 winners.
Three Golden Bears ended in double-figures, led by Brent Ricketts Jr. (Seaford, Del./Seaford) with 15 points and four boards. Jaiden McGhee (Townsend, Del./Middletown) had 11 points and a team-high seven boards, while Juju Pagan (Tobyhanna, Pa./Pocono Mountain West) ended with 10. Amir Cunningham (Middletown, Del./Middletown) had seven points and three boards, with Ryan Glassmacher (Stewartsville, N.J./Bethlehem Catholic (Pa.)) netting five points along with three rebounds.
Shepherd big man Carson Poffenberger was an issue all night for KU, netting a game-high 18 points. Jordan Phillip and Jarod Robinson both ended with 12. It wasn't a pretty offensive game for the Rams either, as they shot below 50% from the floor, including a 30% mark from three. The Rams did find success in the paint, outscoring KU 38-18, and in transition, outscoring KU 13-0 in fast break points.
The Golden Bears return to Keystone Arena on Saturday, Feb. 3 to host Mansfield in PSAC East action. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.
