Dave Ben Sets Career Scoring Record, KU Wins 85-69 Over Minsfield

Jan. 21, 2009

Kutztown (13-3, 2-1 PSAC East) 85
Mansfield (8-7, 1-2 PSAC East) 69


It took longer than he would have liked, but with 1:36 left, Dave Ben (sr. Coatesville/Coatesville) became the all-time scoring leader for the Kutztown University men’s basketball team Wednesday.

His two free throws gave him 22 points for the game, helping KU solidify an 85-69 win over Mansfield University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division contest at Keystone Hall.

Ben’s late free throws gave him 1,684 for his career, two better than Lock Jennings (1989-93), who owned the scoring record for 16 seasons.

“Dave Ben is a very special player,” KU head coach Bernie Driscoll said. “He was really worried about tonight, I’m glad he got it at home. He won’t tell you, but he was worried about it.”

Ben had only six points at halftime and nine points midway through the second half, but a late rally helped him finish with 22, leading all scorers.

He was one of five Golden Bears to finish in double-figures, as Julius Gray (so. Lincoln/Oxford) had a career-high 16 points and Stephen Dennis (jr. West Chester/Henderson), Andre Woodlin (sr. Philadelphia/Central) and Ryan Washington (so. Philadelphia/Wissahickon) had 15 apiece.

Washington and Woodlin had double-doubles with 12 and 10 rebounds, respectively.

Gray hit four 3-pointers in the game as KU exploded for 54 second-half points.

Ben finished with five assists, opting to pass the ball away on several scoring chances. His teammates paid him back late as he, with 5:38 left, scored 11 of KU’s final 13 points.

A 3-pointer with 2:06 left, his only made shot from beyond the arc, gave him 20 points and tied the school record.

“As soon as I hit that 3, I said, ‘I’m getting it. I’m going hard. I’m not letting anyone stop me,’” Ben said.

He did just that, earning a trip to the free-throw line 30 seconds later. With one free throw, he set the new record and a timeout was taken so 1,115 fans at Keystone Hall could recognize Ben with a standing ovation.

“It’s just great getting it in front of the student body and everybody was showing me a lot of love,” said Ben, who was embraced by his mother, Donna Wright, during the timeout.

KU (13-3, 2-1 PSAC East), after shooting 37.5 percent in the first half, turned around to make 60.6 percent of its field goals in the second half.

Mansfield (8-7, 1-2 PSAC East) struggled all game, making just 39.4 percent.

The Mountaineers were led by Yuseff Carr, who had 13 points. Chris Greene had 11 and Lavail
Owens had 10.