FAIRMONT, W.Va. - Sophomore
Jaden Faulkner scored 30 points and totaled 11 rebounds and six assists, and the Millersville men's basketball team used a dominant second-half effort to rout Notre Dame College, 82-61 Saturday afternoon.
The Marauders out-scored the Falcons 41-26 in the second half and did so with just one made 3-pointer. The Marauders sank 51.4 percent of their shots while holding the Falcons--a team that reached the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2019 and lost to Slippery Rock by two in the season opener--to 32.1 percent.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Millersville led 41-35 at the half and six points from
Justin Nwosu and four from Faulkner sparked the Marauders to a 10-2 run out of the break. After the Marauders ran the lead to 18 points with 12:45 to go, Notre Dame pulled within 12 at 65-53 on a 3-pointer from Bryce Douglas. Millersville, however, responded by making six of its next seven shots with Faulkner scoring seven for a 13-4 run over the next five minutes. That run put the game away. Millersville led by as many as 22 before closing it out.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Faulkner's double-double was the second of his career and it was also his second 30-point game. He also led the team with two blocks.
• Nwosu posted his first career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
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Khari Williams scored 10 points on just five shot attempts and added five rebounds.
James Sullivan scored 11 and added four assists.
POSTGAME REACTION: COACH CASEY STITZEL
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On the defensive performance in the second half: "We talked about a couple things at the half. The biggest thing was getting stops. we were a good defensive team last year, keeping teams in the 50s and low 60s. I wanted to get back to that. (Notre Dame) shot 32 percent from the field. With our offensive firepower, if we defend and beat teams on the glass like we did today we will be tough to beat. And right now we aren't close to where we can be offensively.
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On Faulkner's performance: "He did a great job of facilitating and getting angles to score at the rim. When he gets the defender on his hip he is tough to guard. He had some rebounds and put-backs as well. He did a great job shutting down the kid that hurt us in the first half. That was a big step for him to do it on the defensive end.
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On making stops during the second-half run: "When we get into transition we are tough to guard. We have multiple guys who can make plays off the bounce and guys who can shoot. When we get stop, stop, stop, get up the floor and share the ball, that's when we can really make a run."
NOTES
• Millersville totaled 44 rebounds and won the rebounding battle for the second consecutive game.
• Millersville improved to 2-0 all-time against Notre Dame College. The Marauders won 107-99 in double overtime in the 2017-18 season opener.
UP NEXT
• Millersville plays its home opener on Thursday, Nov. 14 against Wilmington. Game time is 7 p.m.
