Box Score

California, Pa. — Raquel Green posted 19 points and 16 rebounds and Emily Balogh converted the game-winning lay-up with 31 seconds to go, as the Millersville women's basketball team went into Hamer Hall and handed No. 10 California (Pa.) a 53-52 defeat on Sunday afternoon, snapping the Vulcans 26-game home winning-streak.

History was not on the Marauders side heading into the game. MU was 7-20 all-time against California and had been ousted by the Vulcans in each of the last two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournaments. None of those stats fazed the Black and Gold on Sunday, however. Amy Johns opened the scoring for Cal (8-3), but that was immediately answered with an 8-0 run from the Marauders (8-3). Green and fellow senior Aiesha Bellamy did all the scoring in the run, each picking up a pair of buckets.

The Vulcans, who hadn't lost at home since absorbing a 70-65 setback against Edinboro back on Feb. 6, 2008, managed to trim the lead to one on two occasions but each time Millersville had an answer. Kiara Brown hit a 3-pointer to bring Cal within 10-9, but Mashira Newman hit a jumper at the other end. Brown continued to trade buckets with the Marauders, scoring the next time down, but her next bucket was countered by a Balogh triple and MU extended the lead from there.

With 2:16 to play in the half, Green nailed a shot that pushed the lead to 10, 28-18, Millersville's largest of the game to that point. Cal scored the next five points, but the Marauders went into the half on a high note as Green finished a Newman dish with 11 seconds to play to give MU a 30-23 halftime lead. The offensive output was welcomed, as Millersville had not recorded a 30-point first half in its last five games.

Millersville's outstanding defensive effort continued into the second half. While there may have been a little bend in the form of a shrinking lead, there was not a break for a majority of the game. Every time Cal got close, MU continued to respond. The Marauders were still up by eight when Green knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 46-38 with 9:00 to go. Three different Cal players contributed to a quick 6-0 run and the black and gold clad ladies suddenly had a ballgame on their hands.

The 10th-ranked Vulcans, NCAA Division II Elite Eight participants the last two seasons, gained their first lead since 19:52 of the first half when reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Year, Brooque Williams, finished off a basket in deep to make it 52-51 with 1:01 to play. Having been fouled by Jenna Craig on the play, Williams failed to finish off the 3-point play, putting the game on a seesaw. Balogh missed a 3-pointer with 37 seconds remaining, but Cal's Crystal Andrews had her pocket picked by Bellamy, who quickly got the ball to Balogh for the game-winning bucket. A 3-point attempt by Cal's Megan Kermond was off the mark at the buzzer, giving Millersville its first win over California in three years.

Green's 19-point performance was her best since scoring a career-high 26 against West Chester on Mar. 1, 2008, and she set new career-highs in total rebounds (16) and offensive rebounds (11). For a second straight game Newman showed the form that earned her PSAC East Athlete of the Week on Nov. 23. The redshirt freshman scored 14 points and registered seven steals, her third game this season with seven or more steals. Balogh, making her second straight start, netted eight points on the afternoon. The win was Millersville's second over a ranked opponent in the last two seasons. MU knocked off then-No. 8 IUP, 54-42, at Pucillo Gymnasium exactly a year ago today.

Cal was led by a trio of players in double figures. Williams, Brown, and Kayla Smith each had 10 points, as the Vulcans lost to the Marauders for just the third time in the two teams last 18 meetings. Smith also came up with a team-high 11 rebounds. The results were stunning, however, considering the stat line. Cal was far more efficient from the floor, connecting on over 46-percent of its shots, to just 35-percent for MU. The Marauders dominated the boards, though, by a 48-28 count. 29 of those rebounds were offensive, leading to a lopsided 24-1 advantage in second chance points for MU.

Millersville returns to the court next weekend when it hosts PSAC crossover action at Pucillo Gymnasium. The Marauders host Slippery Rock on Saturday afternoon, before Mercyhurst pays a visit on Sunday. Both games are scheduled to start at 1 p.m.