MILLERSVILLE. Pa. – Millersville women's basketball used a near-perfect start to build a strong lead holding No. 9 California scoreless through the first six minutes of play off a 15-0 run. The Marauders created a 26-point cushion over the next three quarters to claim victory over the Vulcans, 79-53.
 
Millersville improves to 4-5 and 2-3 in the PSAC while California adds only its second loss of the season, with both losses coming from conference play (9-2, 3-2 PSAC).
 
Lauren Lister, Olivia Mottern and Courtney Dimoff led the way for the Marauders all tallying double-digits. Lister went 11-of-15 from the field and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe for 26 points. Mottern hit three 3-pointers and went 3-of-5 from the field for 13 points. Dimoff totaled 10 points shooting 2-of-6 from beyond the arc.
 
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• Millersville got off to a strong start off a 15-0 run through the first six minutes of play. A single free throw from Lauren Bennett put California on the board. The Marauders gave up a three to the Vulcans' Shauna Harrison before going on a 4-0 run to create a 15-point gap. Millersville went on a 7-0 run to end the quarter leading by 20, 26-6.
• The Vulcans outscored Millersville 21-17 in the second quarter, but never came closer than 13 points of the Marauders' lead. Millersville went 10-for-10 from the free throw line before Erika Reed scored the first point from the field with just over one minute remaining followed by a layup from Chandera Jones-Aryeh at the 30 second mark. Millersville led 43-27 going into the half.
• California held the Marauders to just nine points in the third quarter. The Vulcans went on a 7-0 run, their best of the game, to come within seven points with just over a minute remaining. Another three from Reed and a Lister Layup gave the Marauders a 12-point lead heading into the final quarter, 52-40.
• The Marauders went on a 10-2 run to lead by 20 to start the final 10 minutes of play. Millersville then went on a 15-0 run over the next five minutes to create its largest lead of the game, 31. The Vulcans Halle Herrington added a three and Jaydis Gales added a layup to close the gap to 26. Millersville claimed the victory over California 79-53.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• The Marauders went 28-of-37 (.596) from the field, 8-of-16 (.500) from downtown and 15-of-17 (.882) from the charity stripe, all season bests for the team. California shot 28.2 percent and 20.0 percent from the field and 3-point range, respectively.
• Mia Leonard saw double-digit rebounding with 13, a new career high. She tied her career high in blocks with four.
• Erika Reed went 2-of-2 from the field and beyond the arc, both season highs.
• Millersville led in points in the paint (36-30) and second chance points (17-15). The teams tied in points off turnovers (27-27). California led in bench points (32-17) and fast break points (13-12).
 
HEAD COACH MARY FLEIG QUOTES
• "It was a credit to the kids' mental and how they mentally recovered from yesterday, which was a tough loss, to now be at a level to play California and start the game well. We didn't start the game yesterday well, so that was huge."
• "The water that I got in the locker room said it all. We are just so excited and I am so proud of the way they all played, each kid individually and as a team. It's the best way to go into the holiday break. They need rest. This break is going to help."
• "We just fed off Lauren Lister's adrenaline. She impressed a lot of people. How she persevered and just gutted it out said a lot. They felt that they got to play with the Millersville pride that we've been preaching since day one. I'm just so proud they got to see that."
• "Mia Leonard is the most improved player from day one to now. How far she has come is a credit to our coaching staff and our post coaches who have helped develop her and her working hard. She's a great learner."
• "We talked about inconsistent yesterday and we were consistent today. We need to be consistent now as we come back in January and February. It's a great confidence and pride to take into the next year."
 
NOTES
• Millersville is now 11-26 in the all-time series against California. The win snaps California's four-game win streak against the Marauders.
• Millersville has not beat a ranked team since its 89-86 triple overtime victory over then-No. 11 Indiana at the PSAC Semifinals during the 2017-18 season.
• The game marks Millersville's third win at home this season.
 
UP NEXT
• Millersville returns to Pucillo Gymnasium on Dec. 31 at 1 p.m. against Holy Family.