ERIE, Pa. – Guts, determination, hustle, and a loaded bench. Those were the ingredients which mixed into a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship for the Gannon men's basketball team Saturday night before a loud crowd at the Hammermill Center.

Gannon roared back from a 12-point first-half deficit behind the double-double effort of PSAC Tournament Most Valuable Player Tyler Stoczynski (Erie, Pa./McDowell) and a bench that logged 52 minutes while the Golden Knights battled foul trouble throughout the night.

Kutztown controlled play throughout the first half, jumping out to a 24-12 lead 9:32 into the affair. The Golden Bears silenced the home crowd for much of the half until a late Gannon run energized the building. Trailing 35-24, the Golden Knights ended the half on a 12-2 tear. A Cory Knight (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) lay-up ignited the run with 3:24 showing on the clock. Moments later, Gannon rattled off the final eight points of the half. The last six were scored by Joe Lindsey (Spring Valley, N.Y./Spring Valley). His jumper in the waning seconds cut the deficit to 37-36 at the intermission and sent the Gannon faithful into a frenzy.

Gannon snapped a 44-44 tie early in the second half with a mini 6-0 run, capped from four straight points from Stoczynski. The lead crept to seven points, before Kutztown rallied again. Stephen Dennis, who scored 60 points in two games at the PSAC Final Four, nailed a three-pointer at the 5:22 mark to pull the Golden Bears within 57-56.

However, Kyle Goldcamp (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) kick-started an 8-0 run with a jumper. Another Lindsey bomb pushed the lead to 63-56, followed by another Goldcamp jumper. The blitz was the final dagger for Kutztown, who was unable to get closer than six points in the final minute and 36 seconds. The Golden Knights closed out the game on an 11-2 run to account for the final 80-65 score.

Stoczynski led Gannon with his fifth career double-double, producing 14 points and 10 rebounds. In addition, he had four assists, three blocks, and two steals. The senior guard finished the tournament with 36 points, 26 rebounds, seven assists, four blocks, and seven steals.

Goldcamp and Lindsey netted 16 points each in Saturday's final. Pierre Howard (Chicago, Ill./Bloom) finished with 14 points. Knight was unbelievable off the bench. The senior guard was key in Friday's semifinal victory with a big second half after Howard fouled out. He responded again Saturday after Lindsey and Howard got into foul trouble. Knight finished the title game with eight points, six assists, six rebounds, two steals, and no turnovers in 30 minutes.

Gannon shot 44.1 percent (26-59) from the field, 12.5 percent (1-8) from three-point range, and 79.4 percent (27-34) from the free throw line.

Stephens provided Gannon fans with another highlight reel Saturday night, finishing with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Ben was the only other Golden Bear in double digits with 14 markers.

Kutztown shot 38.2 percent (21-55) from the floor, 41.2 percent (7-17) from behind the arc, and 69.6 percent (16-23) from the charity stripe.

Gannon, ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division II and No. 1 in the Atlantic region, improved to 27-3 with its ninth consecutive victory. Kutztown, ranked No. 21 in NCAA Division II and No. 2 in the Atlantic region, saw its 15-game win streak snapped while dropping to 26-4. The Golden Knights now await word on its seeding, opponent, and site for next weekend's NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional. The NCAA Division II Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday, March 8 at 9 p.m.

For a complete box score from Saturday's Gannon-Kutztown PSAC Men's Basketball championship game, please click here.