Golden Bears Eye Playoff Berth

What: Kutztown Golden Bears @ Mansfield Mounties
When: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 7:30 p.m.
Where: Decker Gymnasium on the campus of Mansfield University

As the PSAC East schedule draws to a close, the KU men's basketball team is in prime position to clinch a playoff berth, as well as hosting a first round game. If the Golden Bears do happen to finish first in the east, and win their quarterfinal matchup, the team would host the PSAC Playoffs. However, there is plenty of basketball left to be played as KU has five PSAC East games left, including tomorrow night's matchup against Mansfield. KU is coming off of a 78-73 win over West Chester last Saturday which again saw the Golden Bears down by double-digits at the half only to respond with another sizzling second half. Stephen Dennis led KU with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Dave Ben chipped in with 16 points. Andre Woodlin had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Ryan Washington also had one with 10 points and 10 boards. Nate Edwards added 15 points off the bench. The win kept KU in a tie for first with Cheyney at 6-1 in the PSAC East.

Mansfield is 15-7 overall and 3-4 in the PSAC East. Mansfield was 11-3 in non-conference play and has not fared well against conference foes. The Mounties currently occupy the fourth and final playoff spot in the east and are a half game ahead of East Stroudsburg. MU is coming off of a 95-92 loss in overtime against Millersville. Ryan Callahan had 30 points off the bench and Chris Greene added 24 but it wasn't enough. Greene's three-pointer with one second remaining in regulation sent the game into overtime, but his attempt to tie the game at the buzzer in OT was no good. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Mounties. MU is led by Kevin Hill who averages 13 points per game. John Hampton averages 12 points per game. Brandon Lawley averages 9.3 points per game and grabs seven rebounds per game.

The last time these two teams met was at Keystone Arena on January 16. KU won that matchup 88-75 after trailing 7-0 for the first five minutes of the game. The Golden Bears pulled away late in the first half with a 14-3 run to take a 40-27 lead into the locker room, and then staved off a couple of MU runs in the second half. Dennis led four players in double figures with 27 points. Woodlin and Ben poured in 18 a piece, while Washington added 13. Jeremy Coombs grabbed a team high 11 rebounds. MU's leading scorer Hill was held to just three points on 1-of13 shooting, including a 0-for10 night from beyond the arc. MU was led by Dhimitri Luarasi's 24 points. Greene added 18 while Hampton pitched in with 11. Lawley grabbed 11 boards for MU.

Probable Starters:

Kutztown
G- #14 Stephen Dennis
G- #32 Andre Woodlin
G/F- #34 Dave Ben
F- #52 Ryan Washington
C- #55 Jeremy Coombs

Mansfield
G- #14 John Hampton
G- #15 Chris Greene
G/F- #23 Kevin Hill
F- #32 Brandon Lawley
F- #00 Yuseff Carr

Prediction:
Three of MU's four conference home games thus far have gone into overtime. The only game that didn't go into OT was an 82-77 loss to Cheyney. KU has not played well in the first half in the past couple of games, something they cannot afford four hours from home. The Golden Bears proved that they have more talent than MU, but KU needs to make sure that they come out with the same amount of energy as MU's speedy guards, Hampton and Greene. This one will be closer than the last meeting, but we all know what can happen when the Golden Bears play two dominant halves of basketball.

Kutztown 90
Mansfield 84