Box Score

Millersville, Pa. — For most teams a nine-point deficit with under two minutes left in regulation is game over. The 2009-10 Millersville women's basketball squad isn't most teams. The 23rd-ranked Marauders clawed their way back, sending the game to overtime where they nearly snatched the win away from rival West Chester. The Golden Rams showed their fortitude, however, forcing double overtime and escaping Pucillo Gymnasium with an 83-77 PSAC Quarterfinal win on Tuesday night.

Raquel Green sunk the two most pressure-filled free throws of her career with three seconds left on the clock to tie the game at 64 in regulation. The senior's calm demeanor carried right over to the first overtime session, as she scored the first three points to give Millersvile (23-5) its first lead since the 7:20 mark of the second half. Allison Hostetter —not to be outdone— always seemed to have the answer for West Chester (19-9). Hostetter banged home a deep three on the Golden Rams' next possession to re-tie the game.

The Marauders looked as if they might grab the win in overtime when Mashira Newman found herself free under the basket in the waning moments of the period. Newman was able to collect Jenna Craig's inbound pass and lay it in for a 71-69 lead with three seconds to go. Millersville found itself scrambling around on the ensuing West Chester possession, however, and reigning PSAC East Freshman of the Week Alex Lennon made them pay. Lennon's layup just beat the Pucillo Gymnasium buzzer as the WCU bench erupted with new life.

Millersville's first double-overtime game since 1999-00 would belong to the well-conditioned Golden Rams. Behind Hostetter, Renata Neal, Jill Keefer, and Janelle Garber, the visitors were a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor in the second extra session. The Marauders twice cut a three-point double overtime disadvantage to one, but the Golden Rams relentless offensive pressure was too much in the end.

Hostetter piled up a team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds to snap Millersville's 17-game home winning streak and send the Marauders to their first PSAC Quarterfinal playoff loss in the last nine years. She was helped out by Natalie Winters' 17-point effort and Megan Stewart's 12. West Chester's physical style and composed shooting allowed it to drop more points on the Marauders than any other opponent had done this season. Millersville entered the game with Division II's best scoring-defense at 50.6 points per game.

The Black and Gold, which came in to Tuesday's game on a nine-game winning streak, fell to West Chester in the PSAC Tournament for just the third time. Millersville is now 5-3 versus the Golden Rams in PSAC postseason play. Green, who was a beast in the extra frames, finished with 21 points and 10 boards. She's now registered six double-doubles this season, including three in her last five games. Ashley Moyer continued to have a hot hand. Moyer was 4-of-7 from downtown and 8-of-8 at the charity stripe in racking up a 20-point night. Craig battled and banged for a season-high 43 minutes and came up with nine points and 12 rebounds.

Millersville hoped its 14th straight PSAC Tournament appearance would yield better results, but now it must await it's NCAA Division II Tournament fate. The Marauders figure to slot into the Atlantic Regional, which will be announced on Sunday evening. West Chester, meanwhile, heads west for a PSAC Semifinal game to be played on Friday.