MILLERSVILLE vs. SLIPPERY ROCK
	Millersville Marauders 2017-18 Record: 3-4, 1-3 PSAC Coach: Mary Fleig, 28th season Roster | Schedule | Statistics
	Slippery Rock "The Rock" 2017-18 Record: 4-4, 3-1 PSAC Head Coach: Bobby McGraw, 4th season Roster | Schedule | Statistics
	Game Information Date: Dec. 9, 2017 | Start Time: 1 p.m. Location: Millersville, Pa. Live Stats | Live Video Series vs. The Rock: 15-10 Series Streak: Rock, 1 First Meeting: L, 48-53 (1971-72) Last Meeting: L, 43-74 (2016) Last 10 Meetings: 8-2 Mary Fleig vs. SRU: 15-6 Bobby McGraw vs. Millersville: 1-3

GAME OVERVIEW
• The Marauders host their final game in Pucillo Gymnasium before a three week break in between home stands. The Rock rides into Millersville with an impressive 3-1 conference record which would rank second in the PSAC East Division. However, as a member of the PSAC West, The Rock ranks in the middle of the pack with seven of the nine teams holding a 3-1 conference record or better. While Slippery Rock notched an uncharacteristic conference loss to Bloomsburg, the rest of Slippery Rock's losses were against strong out-of-conference opponents with winning records including undefeated Virginia State. Millersville owned the series against Slippery Rock starting in 2007 as it rattled off seven straight victories all by double-digits. However, recent history suggests momentum is swinging in The Rock's favor after a dominant 74-43 victory in Morrow Field House. To avoid repeating 2016's performance, the Marauders will need to limit their turnovers and shoot better while suppressing The Rock's bench.
• Millersville proved their mental toughness last weekend against Clarion and Pitt-Johnstown. Against Clarion, the Marauders fell victim to an early onslaught of outside shooting, but they continued to play in the paint and grind down Clarion's lead in the second quarter. Millersville took the lead and increased it to double-digits during the third quarter and held on for their first PSAC victory. Millersville and Pitt-Johnstown played a back and forth match that featured two lead changes in the final minute of play. Millersville's full-court defense in the final minute earned the last possession down one point. Senior Alayah Hall got off a driving layup that rolled off the rim, but redshirt junior Kendra Bamberger was there to catch and put up a desperation layup as the buzzer rang. However, the rim was unkind to the Marauders for the second time in five seconds and the ball hung on the iron before falling back to the floor.
• Millersville has started the season playing opportunistic basketball. Despite only shooting roughly 37 percent from the field, the team has still averaged 61 points per game thanks to their ability to earn extra possessions. The team has played against multiple large line ups in Virginia Union and Clarion, yet they've only been outrebounded by one total rebound all season. In Pucillo Gymnasium, the Marauders are outscoring their opponents in second-chance points. Millersville is also averaging nine steals a game which feeds into its fast break offense where it outscores its opponents at home by more than two points per game.
• Even though Millersville is still waiting for the outside shot to fall more frequently, the Marauders have played gritty basketball at home. In their last three home games, the Marauders are averaging 36.6 points in the paint. Millersville's guards drive the lane, while the forwards are able to get the ball at the block, turn and shoot despite being regularly guarded by a taller defender.
• In the back court, senior Alayah Hall leads the team as well as in scoring with 13.4 points per game. The team leader turns it up a notch against conference opponents however as she leads the team with 17 points per game against PSAC teams this season. Hall's fast hands have driven opponents crazy and she has recorded 17 steals with nine of them coming against PSAC teams.
• In the front court, Kendra Bamberger ranks second on the team with 12.6 points per game as well as 8.6 rebounds per game. Bamberger already has one double-double this season and is close to averaging a double-double on the season.
• Freshman Lauren Lister has been a standout early in the season and accounts for the vast majority of Millersville's bench points. Lister is averaging almost 21 minutes a game off the bench and has played in all seven games. The Blandon, Pa. native has already scored in double-figures in three games including 21 points in 23 minutes against Shepherd.

SCOUTING THE ROCK
• Like Millersville, The Rock plays opportunistic basketball and works to earn extra possessions in games. The team is turning over their opponents at a high clip and have a positive 2.9 margin. More impressively, The Rock is scoring almost five points more off turnovers than their opponents. Millersville will need to be sure-handed to avoid getting a dose of their own medicine.
• Slippery Rock relies on its guards to lead the scoring charge. The Rock's three highest scoring players all average double-figures and play in the back court. Brooke Hinderliter leads the team with 16.3 points per game and can get hot in a hurry from the field. Hinderliter has scored 18 or more points in half of the Rock's games including 29 points on 12-14 shooting against West Liberty and 27 points on 9-15 shooting against Lock Haven. Hinderliter is equally dangerous from the line shooting 86 percent and ranking in the top-10 in the PSAC from the charity stripe.
• Ciara Patterson ranks second on the team in scoring and has reached double-figures in seven of The Rock's eight games. Patterson is capable of scoring at will like Hinderliter and has scored 15 or more points in four games. Madison Johnson rounds out The Rock's scoring trident and has reached double figures in five games including scoring 27 points in 25 minutes against Shippensburg.
• Millersville's back court will have their hands full against The Rock. Head Coach Mary Fleig will look to Hall and redshirt junior Janelle Robinson to impede the Rock's guards while also requiring starting guards junior Jade Farquhar and sophomore Courtney Dimoff to close in on defense and limit high percentage shots.

THE LAST MEETING (Dec. 10, 2016: MU 43, ROCK 74)
• Shooting percentage and turnovers were the deciding factors during Millersville's last contest with The Rock. Millersville turned the ball over 21 points and The Rock scored 24 points off turnovers. The Marauders experienced a cold shooting night, converting only 24 percent of their shots from the field. Another glaring stat was The Rock's ability to convert high-percentage shots. Slippery Rock outscored Millersville 34-6 in the paint. Courtney Dimoff lead Millersville in scoring with 12 points, and she was the only Marauder to score in double figures.