Box Score

Millersville, Pa. – Stifled by a 31.4 shooting percentage and a 14-for-26 performance from the free throw line, the No. 11 Millersville women's basketball team dropped its first game of the season, 68-62 to University of the Sciences Thursday evening in Pucillo Gymnasium. The Devils, who played their sixth PSAC team in seven games, improved to 5-2 with the win while the Marauders fell to 4-1.

After Millersville jumped out to an immediate 6-0 lead to open the game, USciences racked up 20 of the next 22 points over a 10-minute span to take control. Shooting woes kept the Marauders from recapturing the lead for the remainder of action.

With 4:32 showing on the first-half clock Millersville was in a 13-point hole. A balanced scoring effort from Aurielle Mosley, Sophia Waters and Carrie Sheffey closed the Devils' lead and the clubs went into half time with USciences holding a slight 29-22 advantage.

Millersville shot just 9-for-33 from the floor and 3-for-9 from the charity stripe in the first period.

A Mashira Newman steal converted into a fast break layup to start the second half gave Millersville a glimpse of hope for a comeback. The offensive struggles continued, though.

Mosley's jumper at 15:16 brought MU within four— a position the Marauders saw themselves in seven times in the second period. Millersville had a chance to close the gap when USciences' Colleen Christian fouled Sheffey from behind the arc with 21 seconds remaining.

Sheffey sank all three pressure-filled free throws and the Marauders found themselves back at the line when Devils head coach Paul Stadelberger received a technical foul from the bench on the next possession.

Newman sank one of her two foul shots to shorten the deficit to 64-62. With the clock winding down and its first defeat in sight, Millersville had no choice but to foul. USciences registered four from the line to earn its first victory over a nationally ranked team this season.

After scoring only one basket in the first half Newman scored 16 in the second half to finish with 18. She also added four steals and six rebounds in the second half alone. Her impressive performance, however, was not enough to take care of the Devils.

USciences struggled offensively as well, shooting 24-for-54 from the floor and turning the ball over 23 times. Caitlin Shaw finished with a game-high 20 points for the Devils.

Waters scored a season-high 11 points while Newman finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven of Millersville's 15 steals. Mosley grabbed 10 boards and put up nine points.

The loss leaves Coach Mary Fleig three short of 500 career wins.

Millersville travels to West Chester this weekend for the Carol Eckman Classic. The Marauders match up with non-conference opponents Bowie State on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. and Lincoln (Pa.) on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m.