Box Score BOX SCORE

BLOOMSBURG—In a battle between the top two teams in the PSAC East, a late run by the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team (14-5, 10-4 PSAC) came up short as they fell to the Golden Bears of Kutztown University (13-5, 10-4 PSAC), 74-65.  Larry Webster (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) III was Bloomsburg's leading scorer with 13 points while grabbing eight rebounds.

The first eight minutes of the game was tightly contested as the Huskies took a slim 12-10 lead with 12:05 on the clock.  From there the Golden Bears outscored Bloomsburg 20-7 over the next eight minutes as they took a 30-19 lead.  Kutztown would eventually take a 35-27 lead into the half.

Larry Webster (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) III led the Huskies in scoring in the first half, registering seven points and five rebounds.  Ed Hall (Washington, DC/Paint Branch) chipped in six points while Jamar Smack (Philadelphia/State College) came off the bench to add another five.  For the Golden Bears, Devon McBride dropped 16 points.

In the second half, Kutztown stretched their lead to 16 points at the 15:33 mark.  From there the Huskies used an 8-0 run to trim the lead to just eight points.  During the run, Dontahe Jordan (Williamsport/Williamsport) and Webster both made good on and-one opportunities.

At the 8:39 point, Kutztown held a nine point edge but a pair of free throws followed by a made three pointer by Lorenzo Christmas (Norristown/Norristown) brought Bloomsburg to within four, 57-53. 

Following a missed shot and offensive rebound by the Golden Bears, Trevon Johnson (Snow Hill, MD/Snow Hill) made a steal in the open court.  Racing towards the basket, Johnson made his way around a defender for a lay-up that just rolled off the rim in a key moment in the second half.  Kutztown would get the ball back but would turn it back over to the Huskies. However, Bloomsburg would give the ball back, failing to score points on consecutive turnovers.

The Golden Bears would go up by six on their next possession but back-to-back buckets by BU's Johnson brought the game to within two points.  Johnson had a chance for a three point play on his second made basket, but missed the free throw. 

Fortunately for BU, Christmas grabbed the loose rebound which led to a Webster lay-in.  With the field goal, BU tied things up at 59-59 with 5:22 to play, the closest they had been since 10:52 mark of the first half.

Kutztown maintained their composure, scoring the next five points of the game.  BU's Johnson drained a three to cut the lead to two with 3:37 left in regulation.  However, the Huskies would be held to just three points in the final three and half minutes as the Golden Bears won, 74-65.

The Huskies had two players in double figures as Webster led the team with 13 points and eight rebounds.  Christmas was the other BU player to score double digits with 11 points.  Jordan was next in scoring for the Huskies with nine points while grabbing eight rebounds.

For the Golden Bears, Devon McBride scored 32 points on 9-of-18 shooting while Eric Brennan was the high man for rebounds, owning 12 boards.

Bloomsburg will look to bounce back from today's loss as they hit the road to take on Millersville University on Wednesday, February 1. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.