GREENSBURG, Pa. – Kutztown was more than doubled up in the first quarter and could not climb out of the early hole as it dropped its first game of the 2026 calendar year, 83-53, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference crossover at Seton Hill Friday afternoon.
 
The Golden Bears (5-5 overall, 2-2 PSAC) have not been able to get the better of the Griffens (9-2, 5-0), who remained undefeated in conference play, for the last three meetings. Both matchups last season, the Maroon and Gold were on the wrong end, including in the last game, an NCAA First Round game on March 14, 2025, at Edinboro University. The loss also snapped a two-game win streak, which came with two PSAC victories on the weekend before Christmas.
 
Seton Hill jumped out to a 31-14 lead after the opening quarter and never let up, outscoring Kutztown by three points in each of the next two quarters (14-11 in the second and 21-18 in the third) to take a 66-43 lead into the final stanza, and finished it off with a 17-10 fourth quarter.
 
Kutztown shot 38.9% (21-of-54) from the floor overall and just 13.3% (2-for-15) from three, third-lowest of the season.
 
All 14 Golden Bears saw action and three finished in double figures in scoring, led by 11 points and five rebounds from Madison Siggins (Allentown, Pa./Parkland). Both Olivia Smelas (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe) and Ariana Smuda (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) finished with 10 points and added seven rebounds and eight rebounds, respectively, also combining for three steals. Maggie Coleman (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights) and Danae Ellzy (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) tallied five points with Ellzy grabbing seven boards, and each of Jadyn Brenneman (New Fairfield, Conn./Western Reserve Academy) and Kitty Randa (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) recorded four points, while combining for eight rebounds. Both Alexa Windish (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Wood) and Bella Quinn (Ashland, Ky./Russell) netted two points with the former securing five boards.
 
Kutztown won't have to sit on this game long as it returns to the court tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 4, for its final PSAC crossover game at California (Pa.), beginning at 1 p.m.

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