SLIPPERY ROCK — Apparently, Slippery Rock University’s men’s basketball players are fast learners.

After admitting to being outworked in a 64-55 loss to East Stroudsburg Saturday at Morrow Field House, SRU returned to its home facility Sunday and battled its way past Kutztown, 80-68.

The Golden Bears (3-4, 1-3) are the coaches’ choice to win the PSAC East. East Stroudsburg was picked second in that division.

“We worked hard, but they worked harder,” Rock coach Kevin Reynolds said of Saturday’s loss. “Guard tight and get second-half shots ... they beat us at our own game.”

East Stroudsburg’s biggest lead was 44-33 with 14:58 remaining, but a short baseline jumper by Devin Taylor and two free throws by Aubin Reeves pulled SRU (4-2, 2-2) within 55-52 with 4:29 to play.

The visiting Warriors grabbed three offensive rebounds on their next possession before sinking a jumper to go up by five with 2:19 left. The Rock never got closer than four the rest of the way.

“That was the possession that ultimately decided the game,” Reynolds said. “We had to play defense 2 straight minutes and they wound up scoring.

“We had seven offensive rebounds in the second half, they had 13. There’s your ballgame.”

Taylor had 13 points and 14 rebounds to pace SRU Saturday. Reeves and Luiz Santos had 10 points each while John Bayardelle had six assists.

“We played good defense all day, but we didn’t rebound enough,” Taylor said. “We couldn’t get the ball away from them in key situations.

“We’ve got the talent here to win. We just have to execute, come together and get after it more.”

They certainly did so Sunday.

Taylor matched his career high with 26 points and added nine rebounds. Tabari Perry had 14 points and nine boards, Reeves 12 points, Bayardelle eight points, seven rebounds and six assists.

After suffering 19 turnovers Saturday, The Rock had only 12 Sunday. SRU had a 41-33 edge in rebounding over the Golden Bears, who lost despite 25 points from Devin McBride, 21 from Nate Edwards and a 26-7 advantage in personal fouls.

“We have to answer this,” Reynolds said of Saturday’s loss. “We’re getting ready for Kutztown right now.

“I like playing 22 games against conference opponents and having them all count. It’s a balanced schedule for everybody. We have to go out and win these games.”

The Rock women (1-5, 0-4) have lost four in a row — all to PSAC East foes — after bowing 60-50 to East Stroudsburg Saturday and 50-47 to Kutztown (3-6, 2-2) Sunday at Morrow Field House.

The lead changed hands six times in the first half against East Stroudsburg, but The Rock trailed by six at halftime and never got the lead again.

A baseline jumper by Danielle Smith pulled SRU within 41-40 with 13:30 to play, but The Rock managed just four more points in the next 9 minutes as Kutztown pulled away.

“We kept turning the ball over during that stretch,” Rock coach Tanya Longo said. “You can’t get shots off if you’re turning it over.”

Post players Smith and Jasmine Cooper were saddled with four fouls each for the final 9 minutes, as well.

“That certainly didn’t help,” Longo added.

Smith scored 16 points Saturday while Cooper had nine points and 10 rebounds despite the foul problems. Guard Erinne Cunningham contributed 13 points and three assists.

Sunday against Kutztown, Smith had 18 points and 17 boards, Cooper 13 points. SRU had a 26-17 lead with 18:18 to play, but was outscored 32-14 over the next 17 minutes.

SRU had 26 turnovers Saturday and 19 more Sunday.

“Unfortunately, that’s been an ongoing problem for us,” Longo said. “We’ve got better talent this year and I’m excited about what may be ahead, but we have to take care of the ball.”

Both SRU teams hit the road this weekend, traveling to Bloomsburg and Mansfield.