Box Score

Kutztown, Pa. - Despite a double-double effort from Makal Stibbins and a spirited second-half rally by the Millersville men's basketball team, the 23-point half-time deficit proved too much to overcome as Kutztown managed to hang on for an 88-65 PSAC Eastern Division victory and improve to 8-0 at Keystone Hall.

Kutztown (12-3, 1-1) came out of the gates red-hot, building a 17-3 lead in the first six minutes of the contest. Kutztown knocked down 20-of-34 shots in the first half and held Millersville's two leading scorers, Stibbins and Reggie Bates to just 10 combined points through 20 minutes. Millersville's (6-9, 0-2) was also undone by its 12 turnovers as Kutztown took a 50-27 advantage at the break.

Kutztown scored the first four points of the second half, but after a Millersville time out Brandon Widener jumped started a Millersville run with his play at the offensive and defensive ends. In the span of one minute, Widener scored four points and recorded a steal.

The run also helped Stibbins get rolling. He scored 11 of his team-high 16 in the second, and his lay-up at the 10:11 mark cut Kutztown's advantage to 16 points, the PSAC's most potent offense--averaging nearly 89 points per game--kept Millersville out of reach. Stephen Dennis scored a game-high 27 points for the home team and Dave Ben tallied a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The Marauders shot a much-improved 15-of-37 in the second half, but finished 24-of-65 for the game. Palmer McDurfee turned in a bounce-back effort, though. After going scoreless in his last two outings, McDurfee drilled 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 from behind the arc for 13 points. Jason Blake totaled 11 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and two steals to complete an all-around effort.

Bates was limited to seven points, marking the first time in 16 games that he has been held to fewer than 10. Stibbins' 11 rebounds gave him his seventh double-double of the season. He also blocked a game-high three shots.

Saturday's game ended a four-game road swing for the Marauders, and they will have an opportunity to pick up their first PSAC East win Wednesday evening against Shippensburg. Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m.