Box Score

Millersville, Pa. - After suffering its worst defeat in 35 years, the Millersville men's basketball team responded with a gutsy 71-58 home win over University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Monday evening. Leading the Marauders was their two seniors, Makal Stibbins and Reggie Bates.

Stibbins played the first 62 games of his Millersville career without a double-double, but with 12 points and 11 rebounds Monday, he recorded his third double-double in just the fourth game of his senior campaign. Bates, after missing Saturday's game, came off the bench Monday and led the team with 16 points, including three 3-pointers in a three minute span early in the second half that put USP out of reach.

After a sluggish first half in which Millersville (3-1) shot 39.3 percent from the field and committed 10 turnovers, the Marauders turned the corner in the second. Led by Bates' 13 second-half points, Millersville shot 12-of-23 from the floor and totaled seven assists to just four turnovers.

Despite the slow start, the Marauders managed to build a 35-27 advantage at the half. But early in the second, USP cut the lead to four points on a 3-pointer from Michael Larkin. Millersville's seniors halted the run in a hurry as Stibbins scored for two and after a lay-up from Steven Ross, Bates drilled the first of his three 3-pointers. Ross scored again on an assist from Bates, and Bates drilled another three. On the next trip, Bates missed a jumper but Stibbins followed the miss with a two-hand slam, putting the Marauders ahead by 14 with 12:22 left in the game.

In just under three minutes, the lead grew by 10 points thanks to the 14-4 run. Junior Palmer McDurfee also played a key role in the burst as he assisted on four-straight baskets.

The 14-point advantage would be more than enough for Millersville. USP never pulled closer than 10 the rest of the way.

Millersville used 13 different players and 11 cracked the scoring column. Along with his five assists, McDurfee chipped in nine points. Cullen Murray-Kemp also scored seven--all of them coming in the first half.

USP (0-5), which now has four losses to PSAC Eastern Division schools this season, was led by Adewale Adefemi's 17 points.

The Marauders improved to 2-0 at home this season with the win, but return to the road Saturday, Nov. 29 when they travel to Institute, W.Va., to face West Virginia State. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. Audio can be heard on MSBN.