Box Score
BLOOMSBURG—Lorenzo Christmas (Norristown/Norristown) posted a career-high 30 points to lead all scorers as the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team defeated visiting Kutztown University, 92-88, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action Saturday at Nelson Field House. With the win, the Huskies climb to 10-12 overall and 6-4 in the PSAC East, while Kutztown slips to 14-8 and 7-3 PSAC East, falling out of outright first place in the division.
Christmas jumped out of the gate quickly and was the first scorer on the board with a layup in the game's opening minutes. The teams see-sawed through 13 lead changes and four ties in the opening half.
Kutztown obtained the largest lead of the first period with just under a minute to go, leading by five, 40-35. The Golden Bears would carry a two-point edge into the intermission, 42-40.
Christmas scored half his points in the first half, shooting 6 for 7 from the field, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Dontahe Jordan (Williamsport/Williamsport) added nine in the period. As a team, Bloomsburg was strong on the offensive boards, scoring 11 second-chance points to the Golden Bears' two. Kutztown struggled from 3-point territory, making just 1 of 7 distance shots.
In the second half, the score remained close for the first 7 minutes of play. A three-pointer by Christmas followed by a layup from Larry Webster (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) III triggered a 6-0 run by the Huskies to put them in front.
Bloomsburg responded to each Kutztown push, and with eight minutes to play, the Huskies held their largest lead, 71-63.
Momentum quickly shifted in favor of the Golden Bears, as Kutztown failed to miss a shot for nearly four minutes. KU went on an 8-0 run to tie up the score with six to play, and retook the lead with 3:40 on the clock, 76-75.
With Bloomsburg up two with 90 seconds remaining, Christmas was fouled on a 3-point attempt and successfully converted his hat trick from the line, putting BU in front 86-81.
Kutztown fought to the end, forcing the Huskies to the foul line to preserve their lead. Bloomsburg's shooters remained ice cold at the charity stripe. Jordan, Jesse Betar (Altoona/Altoona), and Jamar Smack (Philadelphia/State College) each connected on a pair clutch free-throws, as Bloomsburg clinched the 92-88 victory.
Christmas finished with 30 points on 10 of 13 shooting, 6 of 9 on 3-pointers, and 4 for 4 from the foul line. Jordan closed with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Webster scored 16 points and collected a game-high 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Betar rounded out the Huskies in double-digits adding 10 points and a game-high six assists; Trevon Johnson (Snow Hill, MD/Snow Hill) contributed six assists as well.
For the Golden Bears, Devin McBride scored 29 points to lead his team. Tamir Johnson had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Nate Edwards scored 12.
Both teams shot well from the foul line in the second half, with Kutztown making 14 of 16, while Bloomsburg connected on 13 of 16 free throws. In both periods, the game featured 20 lead changes and 11 ties.
The Huskies continue their home-stand on Wednesday, February 16, as they host division-rival Mansfield University in a 7:30 p.m. game.
