Bloomsburg Falls Short to Kutztown

BLOOMSBURG--Bloomsburg University got 25 points and 12 rebounds from Matt Jefferson (Philadelphia/Engineering and Science) but it wasn't enough as the Huskies fell to Kutztown University, 64-63, in an exciting PSAC Eastern Division matchup Wednesday.

The Huskies trailed by five points, 64-59, after two free throws from Kutztown's Bruce Hall. However, Bloomsburg's Marion Rose (Philadelphia/Mastbaum) scored on a layup with 1:36 to play to cut the margin to three. After the Golden Bears missed a couple of three-pointers, Billy Bryan (Denver, PA/Reading Holy Name) scored with 32 seconds to play to make it a one-point game at 63-63.

On Kutztown's next possession, Hall was fouled, but missed the front end of the one and one with Seve Cunningham (Wrightsville/Eastern York) grabbing the rebound for Bloomsburg. After a timeout by the Huskies, Bloomsburg set up for the final shot. However, Brian Holsey's (Phialdelphia/Masterman) jumper from the block was no good and Kutztown rebounded with three seconds to play.

Kutztown's Ben Arnold did miss the free throw, but the Golden Bears rebounded and ran out the clock.

In the first half, the Golden Bears raced out to a 12-4 lead, only to see Bloomsburg rally and go in front 22-20 on a jumper from Bryan with 8:05 to go in the half. The Golden Bears, though, rallied and went into the locker room leading by seven, 38-31. In the second half, the Huskies chipped away at the lead and held the lead, 57-55, with 4:42 to go after a layup from Jefferson.

But, Bruce Hall rallied Kutztown setting the game's exciting final minutes.

Along with Jefferson's 25 points, Bloomsburg, now 4-13, 0-2 in the PSAC East, got 16 points from Bryan and 11 points and nine rebounds from Rose.

Kutztown, now 11-6, 2-0 in the PSAC East, was led by Bruce Hall's 30 points, while Frank Moultrie added 13.

The Huskies visit Cheyney on Saturday at 3 p.m.