Bloomsburg, Pa. – The Bloomsburg University men's basketball team fell to No. 6 Kutztown, 85-79, on Wednesday evening at the Nelson Field House. With the loss, the Huskies fell to 14-11 overall, and 11-11 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
 
Yahmir Greenlee (Philadelphia, Pa./Boys Latin) poured in a career-high 28 points (10-16 FG), three rebounds and three steals in the loss, while Christian Mortellite (Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton) posted 21 points on 8-of-19 shooting.
 
Mortellite and Carnell McGirt (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic (Valley Forge Military Academy)) opened the game for Bloomsburg with jumpers, as the Huskies raced out to 14-5 lead in the game's opening minutes. Kutztown would respond however, as it embarked on a 17-5 stretch to take a 22-18 lead on a jumper from Max Wagner.
 
The teams traded baskets over the next eight-plus minutes, with neither side able to extend its' lead past five points. The Huskies would use a mini 6-2 run in the final 2:15 of the first half to take a 42-41 advantage into the intermission.
 
The Golden Bears came out of the locker room revitalized to start the second half, and opened with a 16-7 run to take a 57-49 lead with 14:42 to play in the game.
 
Kutztown would extend that advantage to 72-62 with 5:34 remaining, thanks in part to the play of Ethan Ridgeway, who scored 17 of his team-high 19 points in the final 20 minutes of the contest. The junior from West Chester, Pa., also added 11 assists, four steals and committed just two turnovers while playing a team-high 38 minutes.
 
Five quick points from Mortellite and a layup from Greenlee trimmed the Kutztown lead to 74-69 with 4:01 to play. Unfortunately, Bloomsburg would not get any further as Ridgeway nailed six free throws in the final minute to seal the win for the Golden Bears.
 
The Huskies shot a better mark from the field (52.6% to 52.4%) and from three-point range (38.9% to 30.8%), but Kutztown knocked down 15 of 17 from the foul line, and committed just 12 turnovers in the win.
 
PLAYOFF SCENARIO
Bloomsburg now needs to win versus Lock Haven on Saturday, and see a loss by West Chester against Kutztown, in order to secure a first-round playoff game at home.
 
The Huskies will remain home and host Lock Haven on Saturday for senior day at the Nelson Field House. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.