By Pat Zazzarino
In a close game, KU fell to Rider University during the Division I exhibition contest on Saturday, Nov. 8 with a final score of 62-51. KU was only down by four during the last minutes, almost tying the game.
According to an article written on the KU Bears website, senior Tynell Fortune had the most points for the Golden Bears with 17 points, five of which were three pointers. He also acquired four rebounds. Teammate redshirt senior Tyler Brooks re-joined his squad on the court after overcoming his injury that cut his season short last year. Brooks proved to be more than productive, scoring nine points. Sophomores Josh Johnson and Howard Sellars both finished with eight points, and Sellars also finished with six rebounds.
KU’s defense proved to be a challenge for Rider, as they were held to only 30 percent shooting from the field (6-for-20). Fortune lead the Golden Bears’ offense, holding a seven point lead midway through the second half. Rider then blasted through the KU defense, and scored a 9-0 run with the contribution of KU turnovers.
Rider brought the game to a tie, and scored 18 of the final 25 points of the game. One of the biggest differences of the game were Rider’s 27 game-changing free throws, compared to the five from KU.
KU will open their regular season on Nov. 14-15 in Shepherdstown, W.Va. KU will first face Wheeling Jesuit and Shepherd away before returning to the Kutztown Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 facing off against Mansfield. The game will start at 7:30 p.m.