Bloomsburg, Pa. – The Bloomsburg University women's basketball team dropped a pivotal Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East contest, 74-61, to Kutztown University on Wednesday evening. With the loss, the Huskies fell to 9-16 overall, and 8-13 in the PSAC.
Morgan Klunk (Felton, Pa./York Catholic) rebounded from a quiet game at East Stroudsburg, and put up a line of 23 points (9-10 FT), five rebounds and two steals. Additionally,
Taylor Montana (Berwick, Pa./Berwick) chipped in 17 points and eight rebounds.
The Golden Bears raced out to a 9-4 lead in the opening five four minutes of the contest thanks to four points from Kelsey Watson, a three-pointer from Jenna Altomare and a jumper from Alex Heck.
Kutztown would take advantage of several Bloomsburg turnovers and extend its' lead to as many as nine points, and ended the first quarter up, 17-8.
In the second quarter, the Golden Bears would push the pace and take a 31-18 advantage with just under five minutes remaining in the first half, as Heck would continue to hit mid-range jumpers for Kutztown. However, the Huskies would mount an 8-0 run in the next four and a half minutes to trim the deficit to 31-26.
The Golden Bears struck last in the half though, as Jenna Altomare connected on a three-pointer while being fouled with less than one second left. Altomare hit the free throw to convert the four-point play, and give Kutztown a 35-26 lead heading in the break.
Bloomsburg was carried by Klunk in the first half, as she recorded 14 of the team's 26 points without missing a shot (4-4 FG, 6-6 FT).
The Golden Bears would not let the Huskies get any closer than nine points in the third quarter, as Heck and Sierra Taylor combined to score the last 10 points of the period for Kutztown. The two teams traded baskets for parts of the quarter, but Kutztown head into the final quarter on a 9-4 run.
Bloomsburg applied some half-court traps in the final 10 minutes, and were able to produce several turnovers by Kutztown, trimming its' lead to 64-57 with two minutes to play. Bloomsburg was unable to get any closer, and the Golden Bears closed out the game with free throws.
Heck finished with a team-high 21 points and added five rebounds for Kutztown, who improved to 12-17 overall, and 9-12 in the PSAC with the win.
The Golden Bears shot 47.3% from the field and 90% (18-20) from the free throw line, while the Huskies managed to hit only 40.8% of their shots from the field. Bloomsburg did once again win the rebounding battle though, 35-25.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Bloomsburg clinches the number-four seed in the PSAC playoffs with a win against Lock Haven on Saturday, and a loss by Kutztown.
If Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Millersville end the season with records of 8-14 in the conference, Bloomsburg will be the number-five seed, while Lock Have would take the sixth spot.
The Huskies will remain home and host Lock Haven on Saturday for senior day at the Nelson Field House. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
