Box Score

Millersville, Pa. - Senior Reggie Bates scored a season-high 29 points, and sophomore Rob Coney tallied a career-high 12 points to lead the Millersville men's basketball team to a 71-65 victory over California (Pa.) Sunday afternoon in Pucillo Gymnasium.

The win snapped Millersville's (5-6) three-game skid and also avenged last season's loss to Cal (4-5) in the NCAA Division II East Region championship game.

Bates, who scored 25 in Saturday's loss to Indiana (Pa.), gave the Marauders a much-needed offensive lift Sunday. The team had shot just 40.6 percent from the field during its losing streak, but behind Bates' 9-of-15 shooting, the Marauders pumped in 24-of-47 attempts for 51.1 percent. Bates also sank 3-of-6 from 3-point range and 8-of-11 from the stripe.

The Marauders started quickly, and after jumping in front 10-8 at the 15:40 mark on a Bates 3-pointer, they led the rest of the way. Bates scored 16 in the first half but his usual running mate, Makal Stibbins, was limited to just six minutes after picking up three early fouls. Coney stepped up in Stibbins' absence. In his second career start, he tossed in 4-of-5 shots for 10 first half points.

Thanks to Bates and Coney, the Marauders built a 37-29 advantage at the half. But unlike Saturday, when Millersville let a 10-point halftime lead slip away, they continued to build the advantage. After a quick Cal bucket, Millersville scored six unanswered to boost the lead to 43-31.

Cal, however, stayed close and crawled within 51-50 with just over six minutes left. Bates, though, followed a missed jumper with a tip-in and drain a three on the following possession. Stibbins then scored four-straight to put the Marauders up by seven. Millersville kept Cal in its rear view by hitting 9-of-11 free throws in the final two minutes.

Bates' 29-point effort was the 19th of his career and his highest total since scoring 32 against Pitt-Johnstown in last year's East Region semifinal. Coney's previous career high was just six points. He also finished with eight rebounds, matching Stibbins for team-high honors. Stibbins scored 12 points and blocked two shots.

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover play continues next weekend when Millersville travels to Slippery Rock on Saturday, Jan. 10 and Mercyhurst on Jan. 11. Both games will be broadcast on MSBN.