Golden Boys Look For Fourth Straight Win

What: Bloomsburg University @ Kutztown University
When: Saturday February 16, 2008 @ 3 p.m.
Where: Keystone Arena on the campus of Kutztown University

Fresh off securing a PSAC East playoff berth, the Golden Bears' men's basketball team will look for their fourth straight win over the doormat of the PSAC East, the Bloomsburg Huskies. KU is coming off of a 94-91 win at Mansfield on Wednesday night. It was KU's first win there since 2004. The team was paced by Dave Ben's 25 points, including a 13-of-14 showing at the foul line. Stephen Dennis and Nate Edwards added 17 a piece, while Ryan Washington grabbed six rebounds. KU led by as many as 12 in the second half , but MU cut the lead to three with 27 seconds left. KU secured the win by going 29-of38 from the charity stripe. The win moved KU into a tie with Cheyney for first place. KU has three conference games remaining after this one, including trips to CU and Millersville.

The BU Huskies have as many wins as their field hockey team had losses this season; give or take a few. BU has an 8-14 overall record and is 0-8 in PSAC East play. They have lost nine in a row and 10 of 11. Their closest margin of defeat during that span was eight points, which occured last Wednesday night in a 64-56 loss to Mansfield. BU is led by Nick Jones, who averages 16.9 points per game (7th in PSAC). Buddy Rose averages 10 points and five boards per game. As a team, BU averages 64.7 points per game, shoots 43 percent from the floor, and 32 percent from beyond the arc.

These two teams met earlier this season on January 26 at Nelson Field House. KU won that game 67-52, even without the services of Stephen Dennis. It didn't matter for the talent-laden Golden Bears as they had four players score in double figures, led by Andre Woodlin's 14. Ben added 12 and six, while Washington added 12 and nine boards. Jeremy Coombs added 10 points and six rebounds. Nick Jones led BU with 16 points. John Allen added 12 points and nine boards. Rose was held to just six points. BU shot a dismal 34.5 percent from the floor and was 1-for-17 total (5.9 %) from beyond the arc.

Probable Starters:

Bloomsburg:
G- #33 Jon DeJesus
G- #14 Drew Jerry
G- #21 Buddy Rose
F- #34 John Allen
C- #52 Jeremiah Long

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

Prediction:

There really isn't much to predict here. KU handled BU earlier this year without Dennis, and proved that they have a solid group of core and bench players. Ben has been light's out lately and is making a late case for PSAC East Player of the Year. This one will be ugly throughout.

Bloomsburg 60
Kutztown 85