ABOUT THE GAMES

• On Saturday, Millersville men’s basketball returns to Pucillo Gymnasium where it is 7-2 this season to host PSAC East rival Bloomsburg. Millersville has won three of its last four games and has won four in a row over Bloomsburg. 

SCOUTING THE MARAUDERS

• Caden Najdawi has been outstanding in the last two games, totaling 39 points and 17 rebounds, including a season-high 22 points at East Stroudsburg Wednesday night. These last two performances come on the heels of a four-game stretch in which he totaled just 24 points. In the last two games, Najdawi has connected on 13-of-22 field goals, and impressively, 13-of-15 free throws. Millersville is 6-2 when Najdawi scores in double-figures. His 22 points vs. East Stroudsburg marked his 12th career 20-point game, which is the most among current Marauders. 
• A key to Millersville’s offense is the ability to get to the free throw line. The Marauders have attempted 325 free throws--40 more than any other team in the PSAC. They average 25 attempts per game. While the Marauders have struggled to convert (making 65.9%), the free throw shooting has improved significantly over the last four games. In the first 10 games, Millersville shot better than 70% from the line just once. But over the last four, Millersville has shot 75.7% from the line, including 18-of-24   at East Stroudsburg Wednesday. Millersville is now 5-0 when making at least 18 free throws. Caden Najdawi sank a career-high 10-of-12 free throws against East Stroudsburg. Bloomsburg, however, does not send teams to the line. Opponents have attempts just 160 free throws per game--third fewest in the PSAC--an average of 16 per game.
• Justin Nwosu has continued his steady play, scoring in double-figures for the sixth consecutive game. He’s become Millersville’s most effective outside shooter as well, shooting 43.2% from three. He’s made at least two threes in four of the last five games. 
• Millersville’s win at ESU was its first of the season when trailing at halftime. A fast start bodes well for the Marauders as they are 9-0 when leading at the half.
• When the Marauders are clicking on offense, they are tough to beat. They are 9-1 when scoring 70 or more points, 7-1 when shooting at least 43.4% from the field and 7-1 when shooting at least 33% from three.
   

SCOUTING THE HUSKIES

• Afer a 1-5 start, Bloomsburg has split the last four games and both wins came on the road--at Edinboro and at Lock Haven. While ranking 15th in the 18-team PSAC in scoring average (73.2), the Huskies are rather efficient with their shooting numbers, hitting better than 44% of their field goals and 34.4% from three--a mark that ranks eighth in the league. Teams have also struggled to shoot the three against Bloomsburg. It ranks fourth in the PSAC in 3-point defense, holding teams to 30.1%.Millersville will have to be diligent on the defensive glass as Bloomsburg’s 13.5 offensive rebounds per game ranks fourth in the PSAC. Jake Nelson ranks sixth in the league at 8.6 boards per game. Justin Anderson is among the PSAC’s top shooters. He averages 17.6 points per game, hitting 47.7% of his shots. He’s made just 20 free throws, fewer than any player ranked in the top 20 in scoring. 
   

THE LAST TIME OUT

• Millersville: Millersville 76, East Stroudsburg 70 (Jan. 13, 2022) - Seniors James Sullivan and Caden Najdawi both scored 22 points as the Millersville Marauders stormed back from a 15-point deficit to beat East Stroudsburg 76-70 and score their first win in Koehler Fieldhouse since 2009. The Warriors jumped out to a 30-15 lead Wednesday night utilizing the familiar formula of a full-court press and scoring off turnovers. But Millersville turned the tide with stifling half-court defense, holding East Stroudsburg--the second-ranked scoring offense in the PSAC--to just 25% shooting in the final 20 minutes. Millersville out-scored a team that came into the game averaging 88 points per game by a 42-28 margin after the break. 
• Bloomsburg: Bloomsburg 87, Lock Haven 76 (Jan. 5 2022) - The Huskies finished the day with four players in double figures including Travis Elmore with a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double. Justin Anderson posted 19 points while Peyton Mortellite finished the day with a season-best 16 points. Hunter Healy added a career-best 15 points for the Huskies. Justin Rodriguez dished out a season-best 10 assists and pulled down seven boards.
   

SERIES HISTORY VS. BLOOMSBURG

• The all-time series is in Millersvilles favor by a 99-96 margin, and Millersville is looking for its 100th win all-time Saturday. It has scored at least 83 points in the last three games vs. Bloomsburg. Bloomsburg’s last win at Pucillo came by a 95-72 score in 2018. Watch out for James Sullivan against Bloomsburg as he has scored 20, 14 and 19 points in his last three games against the Huskies. 
• The Last Meeting vs. Bloomsburg - Millersville 87, Bloomsburg 73 (Feb. 1, 2020):  James Sullivan recorded his first career double-double and five Millersville Marauders scored in double figures for an 87-73 victory over Bloomsburg. Justin Nwosu led the Marauders with 21 points, sinking a career-high three 3-pointers. Sullivan totaled 19 points, 11 rebounds (all on the defensive glass) and added a team-high five assists.