Box Score

Millersville, Pa. — The youthful Bloomsburg Huskies came into Pucillo Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon hoping to build upon their early season success, but the Millersville women's basketball team would have none of it. The Marauders jumped out to a 21-point halftime lead, coasting to a 68-45 victory and sole possession of first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division.

Each team found a lid on the bucket for the better part of the first half, with just 10 points being scored in the opening nine minutes of play. Raquel Green aimed to change that, however, kick-starting a 19-4 run that put Millersville (14-3, 4-0 PSAC East) ahead 25-8 with 5:33 to play in the frame. Jenna Craig finished two lay-ups and knocked down a jumper, while Mashira Newman converted two buckets in the run.

Bloomsburg (11-5, 3-1 PSAC East) wasn't helped any by foul troubles to its second-leading scorer, Kelsey Gallagher. The sophomore, who came in averaging over 14 points per game, went to the bench early with a pair of fouls and registered only two first half points as the Huskies fell behind big. The Marauders shutdown defense also limited freshman sensation Dana Wieller to four points on 2-of-9 shooting over the first 20 minutes.

Despite the early shooting woes, Millersville was able to create offense through its defense, scoring 20 points off of turnovers in the half. The Marauders also held a commanding 30-6 advantage in the paint and came up with nine steals. Green finished off the half with a lay-up that gave MU a 34-13 lead at intermission.

Newman, struggling through a 2-for-7 first half, used her court vision and athleticism to get her teammates involved. The rookie picked up five first half assists and added five more in the second, helping Millersville win for the seventh straight time. Newman's 10 assist game was the first by a Marauder since current assistant coach, Jayeneca Bailey, dished out 11 against Bloomsburg on Feb. 11, 2004.

The Black and Gold led by 23, its winning margin, three separate times in the second half. Green and Craig ensured that there would be no comeback hopes for the Huskies, combining for 13 points in the period. Green collected her fourth career double-double with 15 points and 10 boards. Craig ended up with a season-high 15 points and eight rebounds. Newman wound up with nine points and seven steals to go along with her 10 dimes.

Contributions came from all around for MU, though, with Sophia Waters coming off the bench to score nine and Aurielle Mosley dropping eight. The Huskies were led by Gallagher's game-high 22 points, as she got hot, scoring 20 second half points. The only other Bloomsburg player to score more than five points in the contest was Kayla Oxenrider, who had nine.

Millersville shot 42.6-percent from the floor and forced 31 BU turnovers. Mary Fleig's squad has now started 4-0 in the PSAC East twice in the last three seasons. The Marauders travel to the hostile environment of Cope Hall and get a match-up with the rival Cheyney Wolves on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.