Kutztown Slips Past UDC, 81-77

Kutztown, PA: December 22, 2009-- In a very close contest, the Kutztown University Golden Bears slipped past the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Men's Basketball Team, 81-77, tonight at the Keystone Arena in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Kutztown, currently ranked 7th in the nation among NCAA Division II schools, was able to snatch the victory away from UDC at the free-throw line, getting more opportunities as a result of a 9 chance margin at the line (15 of 25)  compared to UDC's (11 of 16).

 Stephen Dennis paced the Golden Bears to the win with a game-high 25 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steal performance. He was joined in double figures by Ryan Washington with a 22 points, 14 rebounds and 2 steals double double night. Julius Gray added 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

 The score was tied at 36 at the end of the first half with UDC shooting 43 percent ( 15 for 35) and Kutztown 39 percent (14 for 37). There were 6 ties and 8 lead changes during the half.

 The second half was just as exciting as the teams tied each other 6 times and changed leads 4 times. Kutztown shot 59 percent ( 17 for 29) in the half while UDC shot 46 percent ( 16 for 35).

Kutztown closed out the contest with 47 percent (31-66) field goal shooting, 29 percent (4 of 14) three-point shooting and 60 percent (15 of 25) shooting from the charity stripe. UDC came extremely close with 44 percent ( 31 for 70) field goal shooting, 25 percent (4 of 16) from behind the arc and 69 percent ( 11 of 16) from the charity stripe.

Kutztown's second chance points took their toll on the Firebirds as they converted their chances into 20 points to UDC's 11.

 UDC had four players in double figures. Sophomore guard Nigel Munson (Washington, DC) led the Firebird scoring, putting up 22 points and pulling down 7 rebounds, dishing out 6 assists and making 4 steals. Junior guard Tim Ellison(Alexandria, VA), playing in his first game of the season, scored 19 points, grabbed 9 rebounds , made 2 assists and 2 steals.  Freshman forward Dyrek Jones (Brooklyn, NY) scored 11 points, collected 7 rebounds, had 3 blocks and made 1 steal, while freshman guard Keith Brooks (Harlem, NY) added 10 points , 5 rebounds, dished out 2 assists and made 1 steal.

 UDC (0-10) will return to action on December 29, at home against Cheyney State University at 2 p.m.