Albanese Breaks Record but Huskies Fall Short to Kutztown

Game Stats, Play by Play

BLOOMSBURG— Kutztown had three players score in double figures as they defeated Bloomsburg 72-64 in PSAC East women's basketball action Saturday at the Nelson Field House.

With the win, Kutztown improves to 9-15, 5-5 PSAC East while Bloomsburg drops to 13-13, 6-5 PSAC East.

The Golden Bears jumped out to an early 8-0 following two free throws by Monique Boykins. The Huskies then went on a 12-3 run to take the lead 12-11 on a three-point basket by Jamie Kauczka (Kingston/Wyoming Valley West). The teams traded the lead again but a three-point basket by Stef Kline (Sinking Spring/Wilson) put Bloomsburg up 18-16 with 10:16 to play in the first half.

With 4:24 remaining in the first half, Michele Albanese (Wilmington, DE/St. Mark's) hit her third, three-point basket of the game to put the Huskies up 30-22. With the basket, Albanese broke the Bloomsburg all-time record for three-point baskets in a career. Albanese now has 159 career three-point baskets, passing Jen German (1992-97) for the record.

Kutztown closed the gap to 35-33 on a jumper by Brooke Martin but Dominique Deveaux (Coatesville/Coatesville) hit a fade away jumper as time expired in the first half, giving the Huskies the 37-33 lead at intermission.

The Huskies led 42-39 with 14:18 remaining in the game but Kutztown closed the gap to 42-41 on a lay-up from Jess Brady. The Golden Bears then took the lead, 43-42 on a Megan Bainbridge jumper. The Huskies later regained the lead on a Deveaux foul shot followed by a Tiffany Metzler (Mechanicsburg/Holy Name) lay-up to go ahead, 56-53. Kutztown responded and went on a 6-0 run capped off by two Boykins foul shots. The Huskies closed the gap at 59-57 with 2:04 remaining but could get no closer. Kutztown outscored the Huskies 13-7 in the final 1:39 to pick up the victory.

Deveaux lead all scorers with 20 points. She also added four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in the loss. Michele Albanese added 13 points and four steals and Tiffany Metzler chipped in with 11 points, three rebounds, and two blocks. Jamie Kauczka also played well for the Huskies, grabbing 13 rebounds to go along with seven points.

Kutztown was led by Amanda Zinobile who scored 19 points. Megan Bainbridge dropped in 14 while Trish Dudeck chipped in with 12.

The Huskies return to action on Wednesday to face Cheyney in their final home game of the season. Bloomsburg defeated Cheyney, 80-71 earlier in the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.