Marauders Earn First PSAC East Victory Downing Shippensburg 72-53

Box Score

Millersville, Pa.- The Millersville women's basketball team used an impressive defensive effort and almost perfect free throw shooting to clinch their first PSAC Eastern Division win in a convincing 72-53 victory over the visiting Lady Raiders of Shippensburg Wednesday night at Pucillo Gymnasium.

Millersville (12-4, 1-2 PSAC East) was led by junior Aiesha Bellamy, who finished with a career-high 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting and was one of four Marauders to finish in double figures. Junior Jenna Craig finished with eight points and 13 rebounds as well as two blocks, while leading a Marauders defense that forced Shippensburg to commit 22 turnovers--their second highest total of the season.

Millersville held Shippensburg (8-8, 2-1 PSAC East), a team that is averaging 66 points a game, to their third lowest total of the season. The Lady Raiders finished with 53 points which is the lowest total they have scored since they were held to 45 against Gannon on Dec. 29.

Millersville came into Wednesday's match-up ranked last in the PSAC in free throw shooting but bounced back with a 17-for-19 effort from the line.

The game was controlled by the Marauders, who held the lead for all but 56 seconds. The only time Millersville trailed was when Shippensburg led 9-8 in the opening minutes of the first half. Millersville took the lead on a jumper by junior Emily Balogh at the 13:56 mark and did not look back. Balogh finished the game with 10 points including an impressive 6-of-6 from the free throw line.

Millersville lead by as many as 21 in the game and scored their highest team total since their 79-49 victory over Lincoln on Dec. 6. The win was a complete team effort with every member of the Millersville roster seeing playing time.

Shippensburg was lead by junior Lauren Beckley, who finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. Beckley, the reigning PSAC Eastern Division Player of the Week was held to her second lowest outing of the season and was one of only two Lady Raiders to finish in double figures. Coming into Wednesday's game, Beckley was averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds a game.

Millersville bounced back after two tough conference losses suffered on the road last week and is now 5-1 at home this season. Shippensburg entered on a two-game winning streak before tonight's game. The Lady Raiders were picked to finish first in the PSAC preseason poll, the Marauders were picked second.

Millersville hopes to make it two in a row as it travels to Bloomsburg this Saturday. Game time is set for 1 p.m. Fans can tune in live on MSBN.

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