The Shippensburg University men's basketball team dropped an 84-72 decision at Kutztown on Saturday in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup at Keystone Arena.
 
Shippensburg (5-9, 2-7 PSAC East) was stifled for most of the first half as Kutztown (2-13, 1-8) connected on all cylinders for its first conference win of the season. A dominant first 20 minutes led to a 12-point halftime lead as the Golden Bear defense held the Raiders to just nine points through the first 13 minutes.
 
The Raiders got back on track with 14 points in the final 6:21 of the first half, but Kutztown continued to hit its stride offensively, taking a 35-23 lead into halftime.
 
The KU momentum continued through the second half, shooting 51.4 percent from the field. Kutztown used the first 11 minutes to extend its lead to 25 points. The Raiders brought the game back within seven points with a 12-0 run in the final few minutes, but the Golden Bears converted free throws down the stretch to close out the win.
 
Junior Kyle Whippen tied a career high, leading all scorers with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Whippen was just one rebound short of a double-double. Redshirt-junior Ty Crespo scored 18 points for his eighth game in double figures. This was Crespo's second consecutive game with three steals and three assists.
 
Sophomore Donovan Hill set a new high with 11 points. Hill connected on two threes and set a new high with six rebounds.  
 
Kutztown shot 45.7 percent (32-70) from the field compared to Shippensburg's 37.1 percent (26-70). The Golden Bears shared the ball well with 15 assists and five players reaching double figures.
 
Amir Cunningham led Kutztown with 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Cunningham grabbed 14 rebounds en route to a double-double. Jaiden McGhee also reached a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
 
SU hosts Mansfield at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Heiges Field House.