NCAA ATLANTIC REGION HOMEPAGE / GAME NOTES / COMPLETE KU COVERAGE

WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. (March 12, 2010) – The Kutztown University men's basketball team is ready and loose for its NCAA Division II Atlantic Region opening round game against Saint Augustine's College. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. Saturday night at West Liberty State. Fans can WATCH THE GAME, follow with LIVE STATS and/or LISTEN to the game.

The Golden Bears (23-7 overall) are making their second consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. Kutztown knocked off West Virginia State 99-88 in the first round and Indiana (Pa) 92-86 in the second round before losing to Gannon, 84-73 in the Sweet 16. Meanwhile, Saint Augustine's (26-4) of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA); is making its first NCAA appearance since 1997.

The winner advances to Sunday's second round where it will meet the survivor of the Alderson-Broaddus (24-6) and West Liberty State (28-2) game at 7 p.m. In the only meeting of the year, West Liberty State defeated Alderson-Broaddus, 89-82.

So the edge in experience definitely goes to the sixth-seeded Golden Bears, who have four players that saw significant action during last year's tournament run. Senior guard and Division II Player of the Year candidate Stephen Dennis (West Chester, PA/Henderson) averaged 20 points in three tournament games last year. He scored 31 points in the opening round win against West Virginia State.

Dennis was just recently named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Player of the Year and Daktronics Atlantic Region Player of the Year.

Junior forward Ryan Washington (Philadelphia, PA/Wissahickon) averaged 20.2 points during KU's NCAA tournament run last year and exploded for 28 points in the victory over IUP. Junior guard Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area High School) scored in double figures in two of Kutztown's three NCAA tournament games last year. Sophomore forward Ryan White (Philadelphia, PA/Franklin Learning Center) saw some action as well. The quartet knows what to expect and are not awed by the NCAA championship signage that was placed all over West Liberty's gym.

“The experience definitely matters for us,” Washington said. “Having been in the tournament last year is a big help to us because we know how to prepare and what we need to do to get ready. We've been talking with some of the younger guys about how important these games are because we're in a one-and-done situation now.”

Last year, the Golden Bears were at Gannon in Erie for the Atlantic Regional. This year, they're in Wheeling, a locale that calls itself “the City of Lights” and features numerous hills. The Golden Bears went through an intense 90-minute practice at Wheeling-Jesuit and then held a light 50-minute shoot-around at West Liberty State.

“I think routine is good,” Kutztown head coach Bernie Driscoll said. “It was very nice of Wheeling-Jesuit to make their facility available to us for practice. Since the veteran core of our team played significant roles last year during our NCAA run, they are a little more relaxed and focused. They understand what's at stake.”

The Falcons (26-4) have not played since defeating Elizabeth City State in the CIAA title game. Established in 1912, the CIAA is the nation's oldest black athletic conference, rich in history and heritage. The CIAA is entering its ninety-sixth year of athletic competition. The Falcons have been paced by its terrific trio of guard Chris Jordan (16.3 points per game), Steven Brignol (11.6) and Hayward Fain (11.4). The Falcons have held their opponents to 35.3 percent shooting this season.

“I am really excited to play a CIAA school,” Washington said. “This will be the first time for us so it should be a really good experience.”