Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Jackson Hyland scored a career-high 34 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, but sixth-ranked Kutztown shot better than 50 percent from the field to stave off the upset-minded Golden Rams inside Hollinger Field House Saturday.
West Chester (13-14, 11-11 PSAC) fell into fifth place in the final regular-season standings and will travel to Bloomsburg for the first round of the 2017 PSAC Tournament Monday evening. Kutztown (24-2, 20-2) is the regular-season PSAC East champions and receive a first-round bye. They will host the winner of that West Chester-Bloomsburg game next Wednesday.
The Golden Rams shot 46 percent (29 of 63) from the field and made 22 of 27 free throws. However, the Golden Bears shot 51.9 percent (27 of 52) from the field and made 12 of 25 3-point attempts to keep the hosts at bay.
There were 12 lead changes and the game was tied 10 times. The lead never grew to double digits for either side in the game.
Senior Thomas White scored 14 points in his last game inside Hollinger Field House. In fact, West Chester put four of its five starters in double figures on the night, including Tyrell Long, who posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards. Malik Jackson scored 14 points on the night as well.
It was a one-possession game with 1:09 to go (86-83 Kutztown). But, West Chester could not capitalize down the stretch.
Tickets to Monday's first-round playoff game at Nelson Fieldhouse are: Adult - $10, Student age - $5, Free admission for students from member institutions with valid school ID. PSAC passes are accepted.
2017 PSAC Tournament
Monday, February 27 - 1st Round
No. 6 East Lock Haven at No. 3 East East Stroudsburg, 7 p.m.
No. 5 East West Chester at No. 4 East Bloomsburg, 7 p.m.
No. 6 West Seton Hill at No. 3 West Pitt-Johnstown, 7 p.m.
No. 5 West Slippery Rock at No. 4 West Mercyhurst, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 1 - Quarterfinals
Winner of Bloom/WCU at No. 1 East Kutztown, 7 p.m.
Winner of Mercyhurst/SRU at No. 1 West IUP, 7:30 p.m.
Winner of ESU/Lock Haven at No. 2 East Shippensburg, 7:30 p.m.
Winner of Seton Hill/UPJ at No. 2 West Gannon, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 4 - Semifinals (Highest remaining West Seed hosts)
Semifinal 1 will be at 1 p.m.
Semifinal 2 will be at 3:30 p.m. (highest remaining west seed)
Sunday, March 5 - Final
Winner of SF1 vs. Winner of SF2, 3 p.m.
