Box Score
Millersville, Pa. — Same story, different game. The Millersville women's basketball team used its high-pressure defense to stabilize a potent Kutztown offense, downing the Golden Bears 61-42 in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division showdown at Pucillo Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
The Marauders (12-3, 2-0 PSAC East) came in on a roll, winners of their last four, and quickly set the tempo in the pivotal divisional match-up. Each team registered a bucket in the opening four minutes, but Millersville then ran off 20 of the next 26 points, laying claim to a 22-8 lead 10:33 into the contest.
Jenna Craig put forth one of her best offensive halves of basketball this season, scoring eight of her 10 points in the opening spurt.
Like good teams often do, Kutztown (10-5, 1-1 PSAC East) made its run over the next eight minutes. Meredith Starr netted four points, while Ashley Wood and Kristen Murray each connected on a 3-pointer, helping the Golden Bears cut the lead to six, 30-24, with 2:29 remaining. A well-timed set of substitutions benefited the Marauders, however, and they were able to end the half on a 6-0 run. Dominique Stroman, provided 14 quality minutes off the bench in the opening half. The junior from Woodbridge, Va., scored six points in the opening 20, also contributing five offensive rebounds and five steals, as MU took a 36-24 lead to the locker room.
Kutztown's top two scorers from last season, Melissa McQuade and Rachel Wisemiller, came into Saturday's game combining to put up nearly 26 points per game. Both found a Millersville defender in their path each time they looked to create an opportunity. They combined for just eight first half points and things only got worse in the second half. The Golden Bears opened the second half on a six minute scoring drought and only managed to score four points in 12:26.
Quietly doing her job at both ends of the floor,
Mashira Newman created havoc for KU all afternoon. She continued her recent string of double-figure games by posting a game-high 17 points. Newman also came up with four steals and three boards as Millersville built a 23-point lead (55-32), it's largest of the day, with 5:06 to go.
Craig finished one rebound shy of a double-double (10 points, 9 rebounds) and
Raquel Green chipped in seven points to go along with two blocks and five rebounds. Stroman, who had a fantastic first half, totaled eight points, eight rebounds, and seven steals in the win, while
Emily Balogh also came off the bench to score 10 points. Millersville shot just 36-percent from the floor, but overcame that with 20 offensive rebounds and 16 second chance points.
No Kutztown player scored in double-figures, as the tandem of McQuade and Wisemiller was held to 15 points. Chauntelle Schroeder, KU's main post presence, scored four points on 1-of-7 shooting, as the Golden Bears were outscored 38-8 in the paint en route to their worst offensive outing of the season. Millersville, which has now won 19 of its last 21 meetings against Kutztown, forced 36 turnovers and held a commanding 39-9 advantage in points off of turnovers. The only bright spot for the Golden Bears was their performance at the charity stripe, where they were a perfect 11-of-11.
With the win, Millersville has now knocked off two of the top three teams in the Eastern Division in back-to-back games. The Marauders get their first conference road test on Wednesday when they travel to Shippensburg for a 6 p.m. tip.
