EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The Kutztown University men's basketball team took advantage of turnovers and fouls early, but ultimately fell to Elizabeth City State, 81-58, on Sunday in the PSAC/CIAA Challenge at Koehler Fieldhouse on the campus of East Stroudsburg University.

The Golden Bears (0-2) seemed to control the game in the early going, forcing the Vikings (1-1) into early foul and turnover trouble on their way to a five-point lead. However, ECSU settled in with efficient shooting and tough defense on their way to a 14-point lead at the break.

The Vikings kept things going in the second half, beginning with a trio of three-point baskets from Michael Eads Jr., who scored a game-high 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Kutztown drew within 12 by the middle of the frame, only for the Vikings to pull away in the end.

Amir Cunningham (Middletown, Del./Middletown) led the Golden Bears with 13 points while tallying six boards and five dimes. Fellow forward Jordan Nkoa Abessolo (Yaoundé, Cameroon/St. Maria Goretti (Md.)) finished with eight points, eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals.

Guard Jalen Bryant (Edgewood, Md./John Carroll) totaled nine points and two rebounds on the night, while Jaiden McGhee (Townsend, Del./Middletown) added six points and six rebounds.

Elizabeth City State got into foul trouble early in both periods but overcame it with a relentless that forced KU into 20 turnovers and points and a 31.6% shooting percentage (18-of-57).

ECSU owned advantages in bench points (31-15), points off turnovers (28-9), blocks (7-3) and assists (17-9). Kutztown posted a 12-9 edge in second-chance points.

The Golden Bears will play their first home games of the season at Keystone Arena this coming week, beginning with Jefferson on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m.