ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon men's basketball team put five players in double figures and got an unbelievable all-around team performance as the Golden Knights captured the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship Tuesday evening with an 84-73 victory over Kutztown before a jammed-pack, enthusiastic crowd at the Hammermill Center.

The victory enabled Gannon to win its first regional championship since the 1989-90 season. It also gave the Golden Knights sole possession of the school's single-season record for victories (30) and extended the program's streak of consecutive home playoff victories to 19. The Golden Knights have not lost a post-season home game since a 71-67 overtime loss to Le Moyne in the 1988 MECC championship game.

Tuesday's first half was much like the first half of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship game 10 days ago. Gannon scored seven of the first nine points, but the rest of the half went back and forth with neither team able to take control until right before the intermission.

Trailing 33-29, Gannon ended the half with a 13-5 run over the final four minutes and 19 seconds. Tyler Stoczynski (Erie, Pa./McDowell) sandwiched four Kyle Goldcamp (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) free throws and a Pierre Howard (Chicago, Ill./Bloom) three-pointer with a pair of jumpers. His second basket with 1:52 showing on the clock capped an 11-0 run, pushing the Golden Knights in front 40-33. Two free throws from Dave Ben with 29 seconds left brought Kutztown within 42-37 at the break.

Gannon used a big run midway through the second half to take firm control. Joe Lindsey (Spring Valley, N.Y./Spring Valley) ignited a 15-0 run that lasted four minutes and 11 seconds with a jumper. Howard scored eight of the 15 points, including three consecutive lay-ups at one point.

Kutztown whittled the lead down to 81-73 after three Stephen Dennis free throws at the 1:07 mark, but a Lindsey free throw and Howard lay-up provided the final 84-73 score.

Goldcamp was named the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Most Valuable Player after recording another double-double in Tuesday's title game, posting a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds. The senior forward had three double-doubles in three games. He averaged 18.3 points, 13 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and one block during three tournament games.

Stoczynski joined Goldcamp on the all-tournament team. The senior finished the title game with 13 points and eight rebounds. He averaged 14.7 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block during the regional. In addition, he shot 65-percent (17-26) from the field.

In all, five Golden Knights reached double digits in scoring during the championship game. Howard had 17 points and four assists. Lindsey and Cory Knight (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) added 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Gannon shot 47.7 percent (31-65) from the field, 31.3 percent (5-16) from three-point range, and 63 percent (17-27) from the free throw line.

Dave Ben led Kutztown with 19 points. The senior was 12-of-12 from the line. Dennis and Ryan Washington, both all-tournament selections, netted 16 points each. IUP's Gerald Brooks was the fifth player named to the all-tournament team.

Kutztown shot 42.6 percent (23-54) from the floor, 30 percent (6-20) from behind the arc, and 95.5 percent (21-22) from the charity stripe.

Gannon, ranked No. 5 in NCAA Division II, set the school single-season record for victories while improving to 30-3. Kutztown, ranked No. 20 in NCAA Division II, concluded its season at 28-5. The Golden Knights will face South Central champion Central Missouri State Wednesday, March 25 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. The NCAA Division II National Quarterfinal game is scheduled for 6 p.m.

For a complete box score from Tuesday's Gannon-Kutztown NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Atlantic Regional Championship Game, please click here.