INDIANA, Pa. – IUP men’s basketball secured a 66-64 win over Kutztown Tuesday evening from clutch free throws and a strong performance from Damir Brooks.
IUP improved its record to 6-5 overall and 3-2 in the PSAC, while Kutztown fell to 3-7 overall and 0-4 in the PSAC.
The Hawks outshot the Golden Bears in the first half, posting a .458 field goal percentage compared to Kutztown’s .379. In the second half, IUP capitalized on free throw opportunities, making 14 of 19 attempts despite connecting on only nine field goals. The Hawks scored 15 points off turnovers and added 13 points on fast breaks.
Despite not starting, Brooks made a significant impact playing 37 minutes and recording a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. He shot 6-for-8 from the field and went 6-for-10 from the free throw line, earning his fifth double-double of the season. Defensively, Brooks tallied seven blocks and a steal.
Kymani Merraro contributed 14 points and two rebounds, while Christian Moore and Tyler Grove each added 11 points. Grove, Luke Triggs, and Ian Herring also recorded a block apiece.
Merraro opened the scoring with a second-chance three-pointer, setting the tone for a closely contested first half. After several lead changes, Merraro’s layup gave the Hawks a four-point advantage at the nine-minute mark, 18-14, which was the largest gap this far.
Grove’s three-pointer extended the lead to 28-21 with 2:35 left in the half. Both teams traded free throws, and IUP entered halftime with a 32-28 lead.
Kutztown reclaimed the lead with a deep three-pointer at the 16:43 mark of the second half. The teams continued exchanging baskets until Grove knocked down back-to-back threes.
In the final four minutes, free throws determined the outcome. Brooks, Merraro, and Moore’s clutch free throws tied the game at 64 with 36 seconds remaining. Moore’s second free throw put IUP ahead 65-64. With 17 seconds left, Moore made one of two free throws to secure a 66-64 lead. Kutztown missed two potential game-winning three-pointers, sealing IUP’s victory.
Up Next
IUP travels to Millersville on Saturday, December 21 for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP men’s basketball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_MBB.
