KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown fell behind early and was never able to mount a comeback as No. 13 IUP came out on top 55-43 Friday afternoon in what was a non-conference game for KU, but a PSAC contest for the Crimson Hawks.
 
The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, but with Golden Bear football competing in an NCAA Quarterfinal Round game at noon, teams decided to play a day earlier to keep the same game time.
 
In what was a sloppy game with 50 total turnovers (27 for KU and 23 for IUP), neither team was really able to get into any type of rhythm offensively. The 27 turnovers was the most in a game for the Maroon and Gold since the season opener last year, on Nov. 1, 2024.
 
Kutztown shot 31.4% (16-for-51) from the floor and 26.9% (7-of-26) from 3-point land. IUP finished 19-of-48 (39.6%) and 7-for-22 (31.8%) from long distance.
 
Leila Hurley (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe) finished with a team-high 12 points. Bella Quinn (Ashland, Ky./Russell) tallied eight points and three assists. Olivia Smelas (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe) recorded seven points and a season-best 15 rebounds. Jadyn Brenneman (New Fairfield, Conn./Western Reserve Academy) had five points and three assists.
 
The Golden Bears fell behind 8-0 in the first 3:25 of the game and were never able to get over the top.
 
Both Danae Ellzy (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) and Josephine Vourliotis (Manchester, England/Stretford Grammar School) finished with three points and each of Ariana Smuda (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) and Taylor Gurysh (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) scored two points. Madison Siggins (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) rounded out the scoring with one point and added five rebounds.
 
Kutztown will open up conference competition in its next game on Tuesday, Dec. 16, when it heads west to take on Gannon at 3 p.m.

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