LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. - Millersville women's basketball dropped their first game of the 2021-22 season to Lincoln University (Pa.) by a score of 71-56. This was the Marauders first contest since Feb. 29, 2020 and their first behind first year head coach, Sharay Hall. Hall emphasized defense as being the identity of the Marauders this season and they were able to cause 19 total Lion turnovers throughout the game, which is a good sign for things to come. 

The Marauders will have a chance to bounce back tomorrow afternoon when they face of with Shaw University in their second leg of the CIAA/PSAC Challenge. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Lions got off to a 18-5 lead after one quarter of play and didn't look back. They would keep that 13 point lead heading into the half. 
• Mia Leonard would lead all Millersville scorers and rebounders heading into the break with six of each. Makiah Shaw was just behind her with five. 
• The Lions would end up pulling away in the third quarter with their lead being as large as 21 and ending the quarter with a 20 point lead. 
•Millersville was able to bring the lead back down to 13 in the final minutes of the fourth but couldn't complete the comeback. 

POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH SHARAY HALL
• On the overall play: "Today obviously we didn't get the outcome we wanted; however, we played hard. I thought are team fought and dealt with adversity throughout the whole game, so that was a good experience for us. Going to go back to the drawing board and polish things up. We've got a lot of people who haven't played college basketball in a couple years now."
• On coaching first Millersville game: "It was exciting to be back on the sidelines as a head coach. It's been a couple of years since I was able to be on the sideline as a head coach. I'm excited to continue this pursuit of competitive excellence. "
• On preparing for tomorrow's game: "It's going to take more heart, more discipline, and just continuing to grow. Learning from our mistakes, forgetting today's game, and focusing on tomorrow's game."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Shaw led the team in points with nine to go along with five rebounds. 
• Lauren Lister, the leading scorer in program history, wasn't able to get it going offensively finishing with just four points. 
• Leonard finished the game with a near double-double at eight points and seven rebounds. 
• The Marauders force 19 total turnovers but gave up 24 in the process. 
• Millersville shot 33.8 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from the 3-point range and 57.1 percent from the free throw line. Lincoln shot 39.7 percent from the field, 29.4 percent from the 3-point range and 52.2 percent from the free throw line.

UP NEXT
• Millersville will face off with Shaw University tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. in the second leg of the CIAA/PSAC Challenge.