Men's Basketball
Game Recap

Defense lifts KU over Shippensburg 69-68

Jan. 24, 2009

Kutztown (14-3, 3-1 PSAC East)        69
Shippensburg (9-8, 1-3 PSAC East)   68
BOXSCORE

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — Dave Ben (sr. Coatesville/Coatesville) scored 20 points and helped the Kutztown University men's basketball team defeat Shippensburg 69-68 at Heiges Fieldhouse Saturday.

KU trailed by five points late, but rallied to take the lead in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East contest.

The Golden Bears (14-3, 3-1 PSAC East) led by two in the final minute but a turnover by Ben gave Shippensburg the opportunity to attempt the game-winning shot.

An attempt by Daziah Miller with less than 10 seconds left didn't fall, and KU came up with the rebound. The ball, however, was knocked out of bounds and Shippensburg had another chance with 5.1 seconds left.

On their second chance, Ryan Kraft's floater bounced off the rim and out, securing the win for KU.

Stephen Dennis (jr. West Chester/Henderson), who fouled out and had to watch the late-game drama from the bench, notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Ryan Washington (so. Philadelphia/Wissahickon) just missed a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Andre Woodlin (sr. Philadelphia/Central) had 14 points.

KU's defense was strong throughout, holding Shippensburg to 37.3 percent from the floor. Washington led KU with five of the Golden Bears' 10 blocks.

Shippensburg led 38-37 at halftime, converting two late turnovers into layups for the go-ahead points.

KU will travel to West Chester for an 8 p.m. PSAC East tip-off Wednesday.