By Lee Finkelstein
Despite many strong pushes for the Golden Bears led by senior Tyler Brooks and freshman Josh Johnson, the Kutztown Men’s Basketball Team was unable to get the win on Saturday against the East Stroudsburg Warriors in their home opener. The final score was 83 to 70.
Kutztown played a good game against the undefeated Warriors. Josh Johnson had a career night. He scored a season and career high of 18 points. He was also 100% from the free throw line shooting six for six.
Senior Tyler Brooks scored a season high 17 points including his 500th career point. He grabbed a team high eight rebounds to go along with three assists and three blocks. Brooks’ co-captain and starting center Tracy Peal flirted with a double-double with 13 points and seven rebounds.
The Warriors were lead by Whis Grant who had a game high 27 points. The Golden Bears played their defense as tough as they could against the All- American, but there was no stopping his incredible 10-for-17 shooting. He was able to hit three three pointers and was six for six from the free throw line.
“I thought we played well in the first half, despite some foul trouble, but they seemed to build up the pressure in the second half and we did not react well to it,” head coach Bernie Driscoll said. “They were relentless today, and that is a credit to their coaching staff. Our freshmen were indoctrinated to PSAC basketball today.”
Despite lacking double-digit free throws during Saturday’s game, KU was able to attacked the basket and obtain a 41.8 field goal percentage. Few three-point shots were attempted in the game as the Golden Bears converted a season-low, two of seven behind the arc for the game. It is the lowest number of three-point attempts for Kutztown since a PSAC quarterfinal game in 2011, coincidently against East Stroudsburg.
Despite the double digit loss, The Golden Bears hung with the Warriors and were able to attack the bucket and established lengthy runs in the first half. A three-pointer by Brooks midway through the first half gave Kutztown its largest lead of the game, but KU could not hang on. The Golden Bears will welcome non-conference foe Philadelphia University at Keystone Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 26 beginning at 7 p.m.