A two game road trip this past weekend has the KU women’s basketball team excited to return home for a week off. The trip took the Golden Bears to Gannon University and Mercyhurst College. Of the two grueling battles, they won one and lost one. Their current record stands at 2-3.
Freshman Natalya Lee had a stellar week. She was awarded the PSAC East Freshman of the Week. Kutztown also honored her with Player of the Week sponsored by Kelly’s sports. She scored 22 points, recorded three steals and five assists in the two games.
The first opponent on KU’s schedule was Gannon University. In the hard-fought game, KU lost 59-66. Lee recorded the game-high points with 20 in the game; 13 of her 20 points came in the second half.
Overall, it was a solid effort for the Golden Bears. KU shot a reasonable 39.7 percent and they kept their opponent to a dismal 31 percent. However, the big discrepancy between each team was rebounding. KU managed just 38 total rebounds; seven rebounds being offensive. Gannon recorded a towering 55 rebounds with 22 coming offensively. If KU continues to allow so many offensive rebounds and neglect to box out, this will be particularly long season.
Solid efforts coming from the team beside Lee were from sophomore Aly York and senior Ashley Wood. York had 10 points and four steals in the game. Wood had 14 points and three assists. Turnovers hindered Wood’s performance, despite her scoring. She had the team’s high in turnovers with five. Lee was also clumsy with the ball with four.
Next, the Golden Bears traveled to Mercyhurst University. Wood’s performance against Gannon, though acceptable, was overshadowed by her dominating performance against Mercyhurst. She scored a game-high 23 points and was perfect from the line, going 6-6. KU won 70-60.
The Golden Bears shot much better this game. They shot 46.3 percent from the field compared to their opponents 39.2 percent. In addition, they finally showed some fight in the paint, scrapping for the glass and boxing opponents out. They outrebounded Mercyhurst 33-27. KU was excellent from the free throw line too, where they shot 85% from the line.
Great performances in the game came from sophomore Advia Campbell and junior Alyssa Bonenberger. Boneneberger was especially impressive, recording a double-double. She had 10 points and 10 rebounds with two steals. Campbell had 13 points and six assists.
With just two wins under their belts, the Golden Bears are looking to improve their record to .500 with a win against Shippensburg University. This will be the first of two meetings between the two, the next being at home. However, despite it not being home, KU won their only away match against Shippensberg last year. KU lost the first meeting at home last year 57-73 and won the second away 66-61.
The Golden Bears will resume action this weekend, Saturday, Dec. 8.

By Jordan Musoff