Bryant’s career-high 38 points not enough to defeat Golden Rams

Courtesy of David Roe, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Kutztown University men's basketball team fell in a challenging Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference matchup to the West Chester Golden Rams 85-80 on Saturday afternoon at Hollinger Fieldhouse.

The Golden Bears (4-10, 1-7 PSAC) put up another good fight against one of the top PSAC teams, but the Golden Rams (13-3, 9-1 PSAC) were able to back up their position among teams receiving votes in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Poll.

West Chester got hot early, opening the game with a 7-0 lead and expanding it as

the game went on. While the Maroon and Gold managed to tie the game at 34 late in the first half and sat within five at the break, it was an uphill battle for Kutztown to match the power of the Golden Rams.

While hopes looked bleak for KU, they were able to come back and push their opponent to their limits thanks to a career performance of Jalen Bryant (Edgewood, Md./John Carroll), who recorded 38 points, nine rebounds and five assists in defeat. The senior guard shot 9-for-21 from the field, a mark that included five three-pointers. He also went 15-for-17 from the charity stripe, taking advantage of a West Chester team that featured four people with at least four fouls.

Big man Jordan Nkoa Abessolo (Yaoundé, Cameroon/St. Maria Goretti (Md.)) recorded 20 points and nine rebounds, scoring on eight of his 10 field goal attempts on the afternoon. Amir Cunningham (Middletown, Del./Middletown) had 9 points and six rebounds in 31 minutes, while Jaiden McGhee (Townsend, Del./Middletown) posted five points and three rebounds.

Each team converted six three-point baskets, while Kutztown led the way with a 72.7 percent free throw percentage. The Golden Bears dominated the glass with 37 rebounds and controlled fastbreak points 20-12.

Kutztown returns to Keystone Arena for one of its longest homestands of the season, starting on Monday, Jan. 13 against Mansfield at 5 p.m.