On Saturday the Shippensburg Raiders hosted the Kutztown Golden Bears in a Valentine’s Day matchup. A packed Hieges Field House was ready to see the Raiders make a push towards the playoffs, but instead saw a disappointing loss as the team fell to the Golden Bears 67-51.

It was a low scoring game in which both teams turned the ball over and kept each other in contention early. After about 10 minutes of play the two teams were locked in a close battle. Kutztown was able to break away and gain a lead before the half, however, and they would not surrender the lead for the remainder of the game.

The Raiders (12-11, 8-11 PSAC East) showed signs of life throughout the game especially at the 10-minute mark in the second half. Kutztown (16-10, 13-7 PSAC East) was ahead by eleven when Dylan Edgar got the Raiders going with one of his trademark turnaround shots. After that Shippensburg made three straight trips to the line where they cut the Bears lead to just 3. That’s as close as Shippensburg would get as it seemed like the opposing Bears had an answer for every push by the Raiders.

Kutztown would go on to close out a 16-point victory with solid defense and timely three-pointers. There were no standout performances for the Raiders as the ball was spread around pretty well. Edgar and McCarthur received their usual touches while Freshman Dustin Sleva chipped in eleven points on 5-of-9 shooting.

It has certainly been a good season for the mens team and the playoffs are still very much in reach. Coach Fite was disappointed in the loss but is optimistic about the Raiders final three games. “Were in control of our destiny, you know, if we take care of business these last couple games, we don’t have to worry about anybody else.”

Shippensburg battles Millersville this Wednesday in a game that could ultimately determine the fate of the Raiders’ season. The Marauders (13-13, 9-11 PSAC East) hold a one-game PSAC lead over SU after dropping a 78-71 decision to Lock Haven (8-15, 8-11 PSAC East) on Saturday.

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