Florida Southern Too Strong for Marauders

Wednesday, December 17

Lakeland, FL

7:30 p.m.

Millersville University

Florida Southern College

Florida Southern Too Strong for Marauders

12/17/2008 10:15:16 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Lakeland, Fla. — The Millersville women's basketball team went to Florida searching for a 7-0 start to its 2008-09 campaign, but Florida Southern, playing on its home floor, had a different agenda. The Lady Mocs shot well from beyond the arc and held the Marauders to 17 second half points in a 65-39 win in the opening night of the Holiday Inn South Classic on Thursday.

Millersville (6-1) jumped out of the gate on the right foot, as junior Jenna Craig scored the first points of the game. The Marauders then got back-to-back threes from Jenna Philo and Ashley Moyer as they claimed an early 8-3 lead. Florida Southern (8-1) responded, realing off eight straight points to take a one point lead, but senior Gladine St. Julien converted inside to put the visitors back on top, 12-11.

The remainder of the first half was an uphill battle for the Marauders, as the Lady Mocs used a 22-6 run over the final 10:15 to build a 38-22 halftime lead. Megan Dzikas was instrumental in Florida Southern's surge, as she burried a three, scored nine points and dished out an assist.

The Marauders tried to cut into the Florida Southern lead early in the second half. Two baskets by Craig, and a bucket from junior Aiesha Bellamy sent Millersville on a 6-0 run that cut the Lady Mocs lead to 11 at 39-28. That was as close as Millersville would get, however. Florida Southern held the Marauders to just 11 points over the final 16:12 of the game.

The Lady Mocs, meanwhile, got plenty of scoring contributions in the second half. Chelsea Johnson scored seven of her game-high 16 points and Michaela Hawley added six of her 11 in the half as well. Dzikas was the third Florida Southern player to record a double-figure scoring game, finishing with 15 points. The Lady Mocs also benefitted from the deep ball on Thursday evening as they drilled 10 three pointers.

The Marauders struggled to find a rhythm throughout the night, shooting just 2-8 from the outside and 5-17 from the charity stripe. The team was also hurt by turnovers, committing a season-high 25, which led to 23 Florida Southern points. Millersville was led by Craig's double-double, as she collected 11 points and 10 boards. Junior Raquel Green finished with nine points, including six in the second half. St. Julien, who came in averaging a team-high 14.0 points per game, was held to just four.

The Marauders will look to bounce back tomorrow evening when they take on St. Leo (Fla.) in Lakeland, Fla. The Lions will provide another stiff test for Millersville, as they enter the game with a 7-2 record. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.