LHU Men’s Basketball storms back to open 2025 with PSAC East victory over Kutztown
LOCK HAVEN– The Lock Haven men’s basketball team opened 2025 in style by overcoming a 15-point deficit to take down visiting Kutztown University, 69-66, in the Bald Eagles’ Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division opener at Thomas Fieldhouse on Friday night (Jan. 3).
Isaiah Stewart knocked down the eventual game-winning floater with 21 seconds remaining and Eli Washington forced a turnover on the next possession and knocked down a pair of free throws to clinch the victory for Lock Haven in its first contest of the New Year.
Kutztown held the lead for nearly 40 minutes, but Lock Haven outscored the Golden Bears 43-27 in the second half. The Haven used a 13-3 run, beginning at the midway point of the second half, to claw back into the contest.
Defense ignited the comeback for the Bald Eagles, who forced 16 turnovers in the second half and blocked four shots. Lock Haven finished the game with a 30-11 advantage in points-off-turnovers.
Lock Haven knocked down 48 percent (16-of-33) of its shots in the second half, while limiting Kutztown to 28 percent (8-of-29) from the floor.
With the victory, the Bald Eagles improve to 6-6 overall and 3-3 in the PSAC. The Haven moves to 1-0 to open its Eastern Division slate after finishing 2-3 against Western Division opponents to start the season.
Kutztown falls to 3-9 on the season and 0-6 in the PSAC.
Kevin Coleman led the comeback effort and did so coming off the bench to score a team-high 18 points, while also pulling in a team-high nine rebounds, blocking three sheets and recording a steal.
Stewart finished with 16 points, including the game-winner, and added six rebounds, three blocks and three steals.
Washington chipped in 11 points and was a pest on defense, where he finished with a game-high five steals. The point guard also dished out four assists.
Dyllon Scott provided quality minutes off the bench and finished with eight points and three rebounds.
NEXT UP
The Bald Eagles hit the road and will visit West Chester at 7:30 p.m. on Monday (Jan. 6) for a PSAC East showdown.
